Groundswell

source: Groundswell

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 have to agree with other reviewers. This had potential and didn't quite get there. This had the same plot as the Christmas movie, The Sweetest Thing, where Lacey competes in the gingerbread contest. Hallmark continues to disappoint with recycled stories. I also agree that it was strange she was never in a swimsuit or wetsuit on camera - when she's supposed to be learning to surf in Hawaii. That was the central storyline. The movie was very slow, even the competition was predictable. I like Lacey and Ektor, just not together. Their scenes were awkward, and when he tells her about his past love interest who died, he didn't seem invested in the story himself, so was hard to feel the drama and the loss. This one was a recycled storyline and unoriginal. Lacey is one of my favorites, so this was disappointing.

30 minutes into this movie and I was BORED!!! It was your typical Hallmark movie that has been done a 1,000 times over. An underappreciated chef who breaks up with her boyfriend who is a chef and her boss, and flees to family in Hawaii. She meets a surfer and a chef - surprise! The chemistry isn't there. It's just a dull film. The Hawaiian scenery is beautiful. This movie is based off a book written by Katie Lee Biegel. If her friend didn't have the producing rights I don't think this book would have been made into a movie. I guess it's all who you know. This is one movie that you can pass on.