Skip to main content

Do You Think Hallmark's "Love on Harbor Island" Is a Dud? Take the Survey!

Starring:  Morgan Kohan and Marcus Rosner

Released:  2020

Summary:  An interior designer returns to her hometown to help her aunt run her inn, but while working, she meets a handsome seaplane pilot.

Image:  Crown Media

Talk About Missing a Thumbprint!


You might remember Morgan Kohan for her role as Lillian Walsh in When Hope Calls.  Hallmark builds Kohan a bridge to the summer release, Love on Harbor Island, by naming her character Lily Summers.  Nice touch, Hallmark.  You made a thumbprint.

Lily is a talented interior designer who produces impressive results, but when she interviews within her company for a better position, her boss tells her they will "circle back" to the possibility at a later time.  As it stands, Lily's designs lack her "essence" and her "thumbprint," so her boss advises her to find what inspires her.

Hence, the trip home to Harbor Island (plus, her aunt suffers a fall and needs help).

Lily's interior designs aren't the only thing lacking a thumbprint--so does this fictional Hallmark character.  Kohan fails to bring any charisma to the role.  Her voice is a monotone, she sometimes appears to talk without moving her lips, and she seems dull and blah no matter how much she continuously smiles.  

Fortunately, Kohan's co-stars shine and carry the load. Marcus Rosner nails it with his performance.  He's handsome, charming, sardonic when necessary, strong, and capable--everything a leading Hallmark man needs to be.  Plus, I'm a sucker for dimples!  Maybe we'll see more of him in lead roles, rather than the supporting ones Hallmark cast him in previously.

Emma Cam (Christie) plays the perfect BFF, and Brenda Matthews is completely endearing as Aunt Maggie.  

Even though Jeff Gonek (Bradford) plays the typical unworthy boyfriend who puts his career first and loves his phone more than he could ever love a woman, he captures the essence of his character perfectly.  Did he look familiar?  We saw him in Road to Christmas in 2018. 


Love on Harbor Island Has Fatal Flaws


A middle school English teacher once explained to his Young Authors Club, "You can write a fictional account about anything you want.  It doesn't have to be possible, but it does have to be believable."

The plot holes in this story are significant and unbelievable:

  • When you're trying to climb the corporate ladder and snag a promotion, like Lily wants, you don't take an indefinite time off from work.  You bust your heinie!
  • Lily keeps referencing how much work she is doing to refresh the inn, but in most scenes, she's sitting on her rear while everyone else is doing the labor.
  • Where did Marcus get his fortune?  An executive director of an animal shelter might earn between $50,000 and $60,000 annually, but that's not enough to buy a gazillion dollar inn, especially when your counter-offer is accepted over a big real estate company like Bradford's.
  • Have you ever attended an Open House for a property?  Never in my lifetime has a potential buyer gathered all the attendees to attention so he can publicly announce his intention to buy, like Dan does in the movie.  How weird is that?
  • Despite having zero personality, we're supposed to believe Lily has a silly side based on her wildly embarrassing high school dance reenactment in the kitchen scene?
  • Marcus doesn't have a website and claims not to be able to operate digital devices, yet, boom!  His rescue shelter has a computer right there on the front desk, and his assistant, Angus, seems quite computer literate.  
  • For the Lantern Festival, Lily only has two seconds to create a lantern, and she just happens to whip up one that looks exactly like the inn, almost as if it were pulled off a manufacturing assembly line.  It's glaringly obvious this isn't homemade. 
Image:  Crown Media 
  • Marcus thinks Lily has left town, so he's surprised to find her at the inn.  Yet, he proceeds to tell her how he is fronting the capital for her to buy the inn and has already made a counter-offer for it in her name.  What?  Is that even legal?  If it is, I'm going to head to a more upscale neighborhood and make an offer in some rich person's name so I can have a new house.  Since Marcus thought Lily had returned to the city, when, exactly, was he planning to let her know of the life-altering plan he hatched without her input or permission? 
Come on, writers!

Was this movie Lucie Guest's and Andrea Shawcross's rough draft before they worked out the kinks?  I want my one hour and twenty-one minute investment back!


Can You Be Honest? 


Hallmark movie fans nearly have a stroke any time a person doesn't gush over every movie--even when they are bombs with few redeemable moments.

Please don't hyperventilate.

It's a free country--you don't have to agree.  In fact, it's only fair you have a chance to respond with your take on Love on Harbor Island.  Take the poll below and let us know what you think!

polls

#loveonharborisland #morgankohan #marcusrosner 

Comments

  1. Yes I liked it very much, it was nice to see Marcus Rosner in a lead role finally get the girl instead of being the other guy ......he is very talented, the script was a little amateurish, but the actors still made it enjoyable because of their chemistry. Maybe they can be paired up again but make the storyline a bit more exciting or dramatic.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love Hallmark movies and grade them on a curve. That said, I'm not blind to writing that makes no sense, and you've identified a number of things that drove me crazy too. I expect a few of those in every movie but this one had a few too many. Struggling merchants giving away store items, people living way beyond their apparent means, and a complete disregard for legal and financial realities That buyer speech at the open house was ridiculous, and sellers almost never interact with buyers. The leads were OK, but they're not on my long list of Hallmark favorites. Not a terrible movie (like Christmas CEO and Road Trip Romance) but also not worthy of repeat viewings (like Bottled With Love, Her Pen Pal, and Love Strikes Twice)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I feel that Lily was on a physical presence break from work but when she got the 2nd interview they told her the work she submitted on the Inn was what they were looking for. It was made in 2020 and working remotely
    Was very common from then going forward.

    I believe that Maecus got his money when he settled his grandmother's estate. He said he had been waiting to buy his forever home. On the island he would make enough money for daily living on his salary.
    Lily was working on the design for the lantern the night before in her bedroom. It was decorated with flowers and there were flowers everywhere at the Inn...not a stretch for a designer.
    The buyers speech was a corporate political maneuver by an aggressive
    Business shark meant to throw everyone off guard so he could move quickly in the confusion.
    I believe in Hallmark Movies symbolism is often used to save time and yet make a point. Little snippets of her "working" on the renovation were there to let us know symbolically the work was occurring.
    Finally I researched buying a property in someone else's name and in fact you can.
    There were things that could be better but overall I really liked it.
    No offense, you made some great points! I honor that, it helped me watch the film more critically. In the end t's a matter of interpretation.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lacey Chabert Compromises Her Faith in Hallmark's "Groundswell"

Image:  Crown Media Lacey Chabert Is a Hallmark A-Lister Before Candace Cameron Bure left Hallmark for Great American Family, fans would good-naturedly spar over who should be crowned the network's Queen of Christmas --Bure or Lacey Chabert.  Starring in more leading roles on Hallmark than other actresses, both ladies seemed to retain a firm reign over the network, evidenced by their massive viewing audience. All fans have their favorite Chabert movie, but there's no denying that A Christmas Waltz was the number one most watched original movie premiere in 2020, and in 2022, The Wedding Veil broke Hallmark viewing records by drawing in more than 3.3 million live viewers.  In fact, The Wedding Veil outperformed all of Hallmark's 2021 movies, proving Chabert's popularity shows no sign of waning. Surprisingly, as many familiar faces left Hallmark for Great American Family, like Jen Lilley and CCB, Chabert not only stayed with Hallmark, but she also signed a 2-year deal

Did You Notice THIS Change In Hallmark's "Raise a Glass to Love?"

Starring:  Laura Osnes and Juan Pablo di Pace Released:  2021 (Fall Harvest) Summary:  An aspiring Master Sommelier returns to her family vineyard to study and is intrigued by the natural methods of the handsome new Argentinian winemaker. Magic happens when Hallmark actually uses talented actors instead of inexperienced "newbies." Jenna's Boyfriend, Aidan, Isn't A Weiner When a female lead already has a boyfriend before she meets her true love, Hallmark traditionally casts the secondary male character as a bit of a jerk, someone homely, or a puny fella so viewers won't get attached to him and be upset when he's kicked to the curb.  A recent example is Callie's ex-boyfriend, Joe, in Roadhouse Romance . Played by Adil Zaidi, no one is heartbroken when Callie decides against rekindling her romance with high school sweetheart, Joe. In a refreshing change-up, Raise a Glass to Love pairs Jenna Savern (Laura Osnes) with Aidan Parker (Matthew James Dowden).  Aida

Hallmark Announces 12 New Spring Movies for 2023! (*UPDATED* with More Movies & Printable Checklist!)

Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries are gearing up for some egg-cellent entertainment this spring, featuring twelve new movies that will premiere between both channels. Check out the list below to see which of your favorite Hallmark celebrities will headline each new movie and note their March and April 2023 air dates and times. You will find a printable checklist at the end of the post to track the movies you watch!   1.  The Love Club:  Nicole's Pen Pal Image:  Hallmark Media Brittany Bristow and Marcus Rosner kick of Hallmark Channel's Spring into Love 2023 with this movie about a recently engaged woman who is having second thoughts.  She wonders if the one she's meant to be with is really her mystery college pen pal whose letters she has kept for years. It sounds a little like Her Pen Pal from 2021, but hopefully the details will make it unique rather than a carbon copy of a previously aired movie. The Love Club:  Nicole's Pen Pal  premieres March

Take This Trivia QUIZ on Hallmark's "The Wedding Veil"

The Wedding Veil Plot Summary   The Wedding Veil is the first installment of a new trilogy that follows three longtime college friends who discover a mysterious, antique veil fabled to unite its bearer with her true love.  After discovering a long-lost painting, museum curator Avery and new board member Peter investigate the artwork's origins as they plan a gala to unveil it. Starring :  Lacey Chabert, Kevin McGarry, Autumn Reeser, and Alison Sweeney Lacey always makes a beautiful bride!  Image:  Crown Media The Wedding Veil Is Inspired by Lori Wilde's Book Churning out tons of new movies each year takes a toll on Hallmark's creativity.  How many plots can be about a writer, and is it common for so many people to suffer from amnesia? Recycled stories grow wearisome, but when Hallmark taps authors outside their own bubble, fans benefit from fun, light-hearted romances that are refreshingly unique. The Wedding Veil  is inspired by the book, There Goes the Bride by Lori

UPDATED: Hallmark Announces FIVE New Movies for May 2023!

Between Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, fans have been treated to 12 new movies spanning March and April 2023.   As TV infomercials always tease, " But wait!  There's more !"   Hallmark is cranking out an additional FIVE  new movies during May 2023. 1.  When Love Springs Premieres May 6 at 8pm Eastern This movie uses the "fake boyfriend" trope.  Starring Rhiannon Fish and James William O'Halloran, the movie is about Rory (Fish) who goes to a quaint B&B on the lake where her parents are renewing their vows.  She bumps into the ex-boyfriend who broke who heart who is there with his new girlfriend.  To save face, Rory grabs onto the B&B owner, Noah (O'Halloran), and pretends he is her boyfriend.  Why would Noah go along with this charade?  The B&B is failing, but a travel blogger is coming to review the place.  With a background in PR, Rory offers to help Noah prepare in exchange for him pretending to be her boyfriend. Yo

Hallmark Announces 7 NEW Movies for September 2023! Download the Printable CHECKLIST!

If you're ready to cool down and get cozy with all the comforts of Fall, Hallmark has a slate of SEVEN new movies planned for September 2023 --four on Hallmark Channel and three on Movies & Mysteries. Keep reading for more information on movie titles and plot summaries, air dates and times, and cast members. You will also find a printable movie checklist that you can download to track the movies you want to see. 1.  Love in the Great Smoky Mountains:  A National Park Romance Premieres:  Saturday, September 2 at 8pm Eastern (Hallmark Channel) Starring:  Arielle Kebbel and Zach Roerig Synopsis:    Former sweethearts  reunite at an archeological dig in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While working alongside each other and competing for the same research grant, they discover they might still have feelings for one another. Image:  Hallmark Media 2.  Guiding Emily Premieres :  Friday, September 8 at 9pm Eastern (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) Starring:  Sarah Drew and A

Hallmark Movies Available on DVD in 2023!

List of All New Hallmark DVD Releases for 2023   When you watch a Hallmark movie premiere and it becomes a new favorite, it's exciting to discover it's been released to DVD.  Space is limited on your DVR, so having your own library of Hallmark DVDs is the best way to watch the movies you love whenever you want. You're busy though, so you may forget to search online for the latest releases.  No need to worry!  This blog post will continue to track each new Hallmark DVD as it becomes available.  Be sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back over the course of the year for updates. The Wedding Veil Trilogy 2 Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas/ Our Italian Christmas Memories/ Christmas Bells Are Ringing Christmas Sail/ The Royal Nanny/ A Royal Corgi Christmas Hallmark Countdown to Christmas 6-Movie Collection:  A Holiday Spectacular/We Wish You a Married Christmas/Jolly Good Christmas/#XMAS/Christmas Bedtime Stories/Ghosts of Christmas Always Hallmark Countdown to C

Hallmark Announces SEVEN New Movies for July/August's "Summer Nights!" Get the Printable Checklist!

Hallmark revealed to ET  that they will premiere seven new movies for their annual Summer Nights celebration, starting July 29 and running through August 2023. Five movies will debut on the Hallmark Channel while two will appear on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. In addition, fans of When Calls the Heart can expect new episodes for season 10 on Sunday nights.  1.  Aloha Heart Premieres:  Saturday, July 29 at 8pm Eastern (Hallmark Channel) Starring:  Taylor Cole and Kanoa Goo Synopsis:  A conservationist travels to Hawaii for her best friend's wedding and instead of a relaxing vacation, finds herself in a wedding prep and helping the new hotel manager make changes to his family hotel. Image:  Hallmark Media 2.  Making Waves Premieres:  Saturday, August 5 at 8pm Eastern (Hallmark Channel) Starring:  Holland Roden and Corey Cott Synopsis:  Amelia (Roden) is a music executive who travels to the Outer Banks for a festival where she tries to beat her competitors in landing an elusiv

Hallmark's "The Color of Rain" the True Story of Gina Kell and Michael Spehn

Starring:  Lacey Chabert and Warren Christie Released:  2014 Summary:  While consoling each other over the recent loss of their spouses, a man and a woman grow close and fall in love. Image:  Crown Media, United States LLC Gina Kell and Michael Spehn Find Love Despite Tragedy You've seen the movie, so you know the plot, but did you catch that it's based on a real-life story? Gina Kell's husband died on Christmas Day, 2005, from a rare and incurable cancer, leiomyocarcoma, which he battled for three years. Weeks later, Cathy Spehn died seventeen days after learning her painful headaches were a result of a brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme. It's no wonder the two gravitated toward one another. It's like parenting--people who have never had children can't really grasp what life with kids is truly like on a daily basis.  Similarly, your heart can hurt for someone who has lost their spouse, but you can't relate to them on deeper le

Does Lacey Chabert Do Her Own Dancing in Hallmark's "The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango?"

Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp danced their way into our hearts in 2020 with the most watched cable movie premiere of the year, Christmas Waltz , and since then, fans have been itching for another story that would reunite the two on the dance floor. Chabert and Kemp both executive produce The Dancing Detective:  A Deadly Tango , but the concept for the tale is credited completely to Kemp.  When he pitched his idea to Hallmark, executives recognized the perfect opportunity to delight fans once again with their favorite dancing duo. Image:  Hallmark Media What is The Dancing Detective:  A Deadly Tango About? Constance Bailey (Chabert) is a very independent and detail-oriented detective who, despite her success rate, hasn't been promoted in five years, primarily because she doesn't work well with others. When the CEO of Aston International is murdered days before the annual executive ballroom dancing competition, Bailey is sent to Malta to investigate.  Interpol is watching, so it&#