“Beach House” (Hallmark Hall of Fame)
Mary Alice Monroe has long been one of America’s most beloved authors, and one of her best novels is BEACH HOUSE. Therefore when it was announced BEACH HOUSE would become a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie her fans reacted with excitement and trepidation. They were enthused the story of Lovie and her daughter Cara would be brought to the screen but they worried HHOF would not be able to capture that mixture of joy and sadness Monroe so brilliantly wove throughout her story.
Having viewed the movie I am happy to report HHOF got it right for the most part. Andie MacDowell is perfectly gentle and vulnerable as Lovie, the woman who lives on the beach and is a avid supporter of protection for beach turtles and their offspring. MacDowell pulls out her Gaffney, South Carolina accent and lets the southern flavors permeate her soul. Readers of the book are going to be picky about who is playing Lovie and I think McDowell will fulfill their hopes and expectations.
Minka Kelly takes on the role of Cara, Lovie’s daughter who fled her home and tyrannical father by moving to Chicago. Now after a three year absence she is headed home once more. She does not reveal to her widowed mother that she has lost her job in Chicago but rather paints her arrival as just a short visit.
As soon as Cara arrives Lovie institutes her plans to get Cara back with her old flame Brett (Chad Michael Murray). He has broken off his engagement to another woman and Lovie knows it is because he still loves Cara. The problem is Cara is not ready to reignite that old flame.
The romance evolves under the summer sun while other relationships are formed or lost. The core of Mary Alice Monroe’s touching story is as fully delivered as any two hour project can be. Her relationship with Toy (Mackenzie Vega), a young pregnant woman Lovie has taken in at the beach house is given short shrift, as is the story of her relationship with her son Palmer (Donny Boaz).
Still the film gives a full picture of Lovie and Cara’s relationship as well as the story of Cara and Brett. These are the main elements of the book, along with the interjection of the turtles story and that is included in the movie too. I know that warms Mary Alice Monroe’s heart.
Is “Beach House” a perfect movie? No. But it is a faithful capturing of Monroe’s book which is full of warmth, joy and sadness. In the past HHOF has brought many wonderful books to the TV screen. Then it went through a period of ordinary projects. “Beach House” is a return to the high standard the series set in the past.
“Beach House” will air again Saturday, May 5 at 7PM on the Hallmark Channel.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
