Groundswell

I found it refreshing to have a gorgeous male lead that we haven't already seen 100 times in every other Hallmark movie. I especially love the Puerto Rican spin on the characters. It's about time Puerto Rican culture gets its due & gets showcased for its rich culture & incredible cuisine Is the storyline completely original? No, but I'm ok looking at scenic views of the beautiful island of Hawaii & shirtless surfing shots of Ektor Rivera. I also love Hallmark movies featuring Lacey Chabert no matter how predictable. If she's in it I'll watch it. There's just something very likable about her Bonus if they feature Ektor Rivera again!

It's a beginning. First HM movie filmed in Hawaii that featured snippets of the real Hawaii, not just beautiful scenery, but especially with contemporary music, clothing, jewelry and yes, the food. We all came to Hawaii from distant lands, my ancestors included, and it was nice to see the Puerto Ricans honored. Lacey Chabert and Ector Rivera were convincing in their roles as rejected chef/girlfriend and surfer who lost his wife. Singer Anuhea and chef Lee Ann Wong were a real treat, as well as Katie Lee who authored the book, Groundswell. And just for the record, most female surfers don't wear just swimsuits for surfing! Maybe we'll hear pidgin English in the next one. I'm watching this again, as one can miss so much with only one viewing.

I must be the exception, but I did love this movie. I don't have the expertise to criticize acting on a microscopic level, but given that disclaimer: I thought Lacey and Ektor did an amazing job. Ektor as "Ben" and his brother in the movie have some incredibly emotional scenes in the latter half of the movie, and it genuinely feels authentic. Ektor is a refreshing change from the usual Hallmark Hunks (and yes, they are all talented); he has an intensity that impacts each scene, and it's well-balanced with his brother in the movie, who is incredibly amiable. Lacey. What can be said that hasn't? She is fantastic. I am in awe of her skill and have watched her since she was a wee babe on Party of Five. I am so proud of her choice to work on projects that are uplifting and for me, faith-inspiring. The song playing while she is surfing on her own at the end is beautiful for its message alone. Lacey always seems to put her heart into her work; her joy shines through, and she seems to thrive in these movies. I love her values, how she isn't a negative example in any way - she lives life, doesn't worry about the superficial, and *surprise* - God was good to her genes- she is simply beautiful! As someone who is in recovery from an eating disorder, it thrills me to see women who are glowing and proud to be who they are. Lacey takes care of herself inside and out, and it inspires me to see her on top of her game, as always. Watch this movie for: surfer knowledge to feed your secret obsession with the art of surfing Emotional gratification- it's satisfying to see her powerfully step away from her egomaniac ex. Scenery. inspiration to get out of "settling" mindset. Don't watch this if you are a cynic who is looking for edgy or provocative plots, or for a movie that is a wild departure from the usual Hallmark love stories. Tiny Rant on the constant criticism of Hallmark's story lines: Every love story in the history of man - real or fiction - must involve a need that the other person meets in some way. I can't think of many needs that don't involve loss or heartbreak, and the hallmark of Hallmark is relatability. The network is popular for a reason, and their formula works.

The movie has a typical Hallmark plot about a woman whose boyfriend takes her for granted with the added complication that he also takes credit for her work. They've used this plot device on an almost yearly basis. But I was interested in watching it because of the setting in Hawaii. I really wanted to love this movie but it was somewhat of a miss. I always enjoy Lacey Chabert but, as attractive as they are individually, the two leads had no chemistry. Her ex boyfriend looked old enough to be her father. The dishes she prepared with the other chef didn't look or sound appetizing at all and they didn't have a plausible explanation for the ex-boyfriends presence at a contest that he's not judging. He just stood around with mostly nothing to do. I kept wishing it was another episode of Hawaii Five-0 because that cast had real chemistry. The settings were gorgeous and I really enjoyed the aunts character but it's just not enough to watch a second time.