Love Under the Lemon Tree

source: Love Under the Lemon Tree

I did not find the plot or actors compelling or interesting enough. The movie was not special compared to other films on this channel or in this genre. Would have liked to see more Interesting interactions between the characters. Where was the drama or the intrigue? I think it had a nice setting (mostly the outdoor shots only to be honest) and it looked good on screen. I think they did a good job with that, for sure. But that was the only real saving grace of the movie. It's a straightforward love story that doesn't push any boundaries, I feel like I've seen this before and you may feel that way too.

This is not a Hallmark movie but was made just like one, even with what my wife and I call the "Hallmark Kiss" near the very end of the movie. The resort island scenes are shot on Santa Catalina Island just off the coast near Los Angeles. She is a up-and-coming photographer that gets unfortunate news as the story begins. They can't afford to keep her on staff. At the same time she gets interested in the annual "destination" photo contest and decides to try to win it. She goes back to the resort island that she used to visit with her family when she was much younger. As fate (and script) would have it the only hotel has a broken water pipe problem so they set her up in a cabin about one mile away at the local Lemon farm. There she encounters the dad, his son, and the son's young daughter. They all seem to bond easily, but the trouble is in the form of financial difficulties, many past-due bills and a checking account about exhausted. The photographer right away begins to post photos on her popular website, people all over get interested, the publicity might just be what the Lemon Farm needs to survive and thrive. Plus dad starts to sell his paintings and the young girl her special formula lemonade. Very nice family type of movie, my wife and I enjoyed it on Amazon streaming movies.

The movie starts out with a common premise - young woman loses her job and wants to enter a contest to relaunch her career. She goes to Serenity Island where her parents took her as a child and she learned to love photography. Meanwhile Josh's lemon farm is in trouble, so they team together to save it. The story follows some of the same old formulas through to a predictable ending. I'm not a fan of the big secret trope and in this case, it's more of an outright lie and continued deception by Beck. The misunderstanding balloons creating the usual conflict. The reconciliation has an interesting twist though. Maddison Bullock is very full of positive energy as Beck, but she seems a little unpolished. She seems to be trying too hard. This actress bears watching though. Anthony Coons just doesn't seem comfortable in the role. Coons and Bullock manage some decent chemistry probably thanks mostly to Bullock.

The movie is set in a beautiful location. It was a charming city location and lemon tree farm. The lemon clearly looked fake as they were places everywhere! But what got me was the story. It could have been very straightforward and the main plot was with the photography competition but the B plots were too much! The competitive famous photographer? Was she good or bad? A failed pilot career? Mysteriously super nice cabins that are ready for anyone to live in when they didn't have time to clean them? The weird social media phobia about his wife that passed away? It had nothing to do with the farm or harming it?!!! What was that random plot that was thrown in? Also where was the lady printing all these photos? She didn't have a printer and I don't think the cabin came with one. I thought the cabins were for farm workers. At the end of the movie there is a crazy long running sequence. I've so ever seen someone run soooo much! Through the farm, the streets, the store, chasing a cruise like boat we've never seen before. Also does this farm also grow limes? Cause that seems to be the secret ingredient in the lemonade. The ocean area could be a great location for a different movie, it's a very photogenic place.

NOT Hallmark quality. Bullock's acting is over the top, but that's probably how it was written. Many of the actors were stilted, but everyone has to start somewhere. The cabins? Good storyline. They were clean but not decorated. So MUCH of the storyline had no continuity. No printer for the photos, no mention of Alice painting. Airplane ride, no camera. Rival photographer nuances evil with a good heart. It was weird. There were no smooth segues, darn near every scene was thrown at the viewer, like a photo out of sync. It was a better storyline than most of these chick flick romance movies, but it fails insofar as it treats the viewer as if they are 10 yrs old. This movie could have been so much better if attention to detail and a little more time would have been used. Scenery was beautiful. Lemons usually ripen in the winter/colder months in the USA. Night starlight doesn't turn on & off like a filament light. Do not watch it with your mind, turn your emotions to 1/3 & you'll get thru it. It passes the time.

The movie plot starts with a good pace, and gives you the perfect story that you have been waiting for. The cinematography is really nice. The destinations selected for the screenplay is awesome and brings out the user's interest in the movie. Although I kinda feel that it they rushed the story in the ending. Maddison Bullock's acting in the movie has to be appreciated. She brings out the best of her to attract viewer's attention. Anthony Coons' acting was spectacular. James Hyde just shows out the true feeling to his character. In conclusion, it is a really good movie and worth your 90 minutes.

Loved the backdrop of Catalina Island. That in itself was truly amazing. Anthony Coons was outstanding as a widowed Husband and Father. When he explained how his Dad got burned before you understood why he was so leery of Beck. There is nothing wrong with having to earn trust. When the trust was earned though their chemistry exploded. Bravo Anthony and Beck. Please keep these movies coming. Totally enjoyable!!!

Trailer—Love Under the Lemon Tree

This is not a Hallmark movie but was made just like one, even with what my wife and I call the "Hallmark Kiss" near the very end of the movie. The resort island scenes are shot on Santa Catalina Island just off the coast near Los Angeles. She is a up-and-coming photographer that gets unfortunate news as the story begins. They can't afford to keep her on staff. At the same time she gets interested in the annual "destination" photo contest and decides to try to win it. She goes back to the resort island that she used to visit with her family when she was much younger. As fate (and script) would have it the only hotel has a broken water pipe problem so they set her up in a cabin about one mile away at the local Lemon farm. There she encounters the dad, his son, and the son's young daughter. They all seem to bond easily, but the trouble is in the form of financial difficulties, many past-due bills and a checking account about exhausted. The photographer right away begins to post photos on her popular website, people all over get interested, the publicity might just be what the Lemon Farm needs to survive and thrive. Plus dad starts to sell his paintings and the young girl her special formula lemonade. Very nice family type of movie, my wife and I enjoyed it on Amazon streaming movies.