The Sweeter Side of Life

The Sweeter Side of Life

And I'm not talking about the plot, which follows the same message. A well-maintained, pampered woman falls out of a marriage to a prominent New York physician and has to return to Kentucky and the loving arms of her adoring father. This is the last movie of James Best, lovingly rendered by his daughter, Janine and her husband Michael Damian (recording artist, Broadway star and longtime YATR regular) as writers, producers and director. What a fitting last project for a great actor, who earned most of his bucks playing heavies in early television. James Best did everything from Gunsmoke to Twilight Zone and many movies in between. I really saw the man through the eyes of his grown child, with love and grace afforded him in his old age. Like his character James was always up for anything. A hilarious comedic turn I haven't seen since his "Dukes of Hazard" days. His life was a fascinating adventure worthy of it's own movie. Kathryn Morris proves she can smile, after all those years in the clinical police procedural "Cold Case". When she said, "Dad, I won't steer you wrong", I melted! A didn't know she had such comedic instincts. Some of my favorite actors in key roles. Alistair McKenzie (Law & Order UK, Monarch of the Glen) as love interest with Jane March, Sam Douglas and others. Makes you feel like a Hallmark movie should. Escapism with an icing of familial affection and sentiment! Great dessert!

It was ok it was good to see James Best who played Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane on The Dukes of Hazzard. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 6/22/21.

Why was she always screaming and it wasn't a normal scream it was screechy and annoying. The lead actress was vapid and seemed to come back down to earth very quickly. I didn't love it but at times I hated it. I saw it to the end and will chalk it up to another Hallmark movie that will not be on my repeat list.

6.4 stars. I have one word to describe this movie: spasm. A rich woman loses everything because she signed a prenup and now she's out of luck. Next thing she's back in Jersey living at dad's. It is very difficult to sympathize with a character that is so unlikable and spastic. She seems nice underneath the snooty exterior but it takes a long time before we are graced with a decent personality trait. The people who work at her father's bakery are endearing and fun, and that's what makes 'The Sweeter Side of Life' tolerable. Several group scenes are humorous and lively, as the synergy of the whole gang together brings the laughs. The whole New Jersey vibe is authentic, except real accents are strangely absent. People in Jersey say stuff differently, like water is wuh-der, or worter, and vowels are stretched and slurred. "No" is more like naow and "bright" is bruh-eat. Does she have to be so shrill all the time? The nasty attitude creates conflict for the viewer's experience, because her character is too convincingly aristocratic and stiff. Soften her up 25 minutes sooner and this becomes a much better picture. I'm pushing 90 minutes and there's no redemption in sight.... I really liked her in 'Cold Case'. That show was brilliant and accommodated her acting style. She's like a fish out of water in this film.

Oh, dear, where to start. First, a squealer (as well as a spoiler) warning. The heroine does a LOT of shrieking and squealing, usually accompanying pratfalls like sparking curling irons, runaway mixers, and cans of flour (who keeps an open can of flour on a top shelf?)falling on her head. There is the requisite bumbling but good-hearted father who helpfully washes a dress and it shrinks to the size of a doll costume. Who didn't see that coming? Then, of course there is the handsome, rich, available neighbor who is miraculously drawn to this dizzy blonde. There is nothing new here, nothing appealing, nothing interesting. Same formulaic drivel from Hallmark.

Good family movies are all too rare; we need more like this! At first, I thought the "ditzy blonde" scenes were a little much, a little corny and overdone. That is, until I watched with grandchildren who thought they were hilarious. Then I realized that those things MAKE the movie family fare... something to appeal to all ages. The acting was perfection, itself; I was very impressed with the personality characterizations. In fact, I admit that I even had to wonder if James Best still "had it". Yes, he certainly does; he was just the right guy for the part. Don't hang up your acting hat yet, Jimmy! Hats off to the Damians for another great movie!

This is how the movie goes: Woman loses money. Has to leave comfortable life for hard working average means. Finds self worth and love again. Then money comes back. During all of this, she has many mishaps that made me laugh out loud. (I may have a strange sense of humor) Although you might not laugh. Anyhoo... Okay. We all know how Hallmark and Lifetime movies are. But this one was at least funny. Set aside those notions you have and just watched it for fun. I laughed so many times. I mean who's luck could be that bad!?

Desiree is a spoiled and vapid socialite, married to a surgeon. She spends her days working out, having lunch with girlfriends, and shopping. Out of the blue, her husband wants a divorce. Apparently, he's been having an affair for several months and is in lust.....oh erm I mean love. Because of a iron clad prenup, Desiree gets nothing but her designer clothes and shoes. Every rich "friend" she has disowns her now, with the exception of her lawyer, who she's known since childhood. Desiree has to move back home with her dad, Paddy, and work in his bakery. It's here that she remembers what really matters in life. Things start falling into place for Desiree, after she creates a new dessert that becomes widely popular. A company wants to franchise Paddy's bakery, with Desiree at the helm. When given this opportunity to become rich again, she declines because it means pushing her out her father. Instead, she decides to stay in her hometown, where she belongs now. Desiree ends up with a big new town family, plus a new love interest. In the beginning, Desiree was horrible! She was such a whiny baby who barely acted like an adult. Her screeching got on my last nerve. It was all very overdramatic. Fortunately, as Desiree lost her superior attitude and humbled herself a bit, her really personality shown through. Paddy was such a sweet daddy, perfect for the role. I just wanted to hug him! I also enjoyed the other two bakery employees and the lawyer. They all brought something special to the movie. And finally, Desiree's new love interest Bennie was also a nice touch. I wish he would've been in more scenes though. I enjoy watching movies set in small towns. Sure, everyone knows everyone else's business. But people also look out for each other and actually care.