Strawberry Summer (2012) Online

I repeat: I am a sucker for Hallmark original movies. Therefore I rated this one an 8, even though I also saw the many problems with the inconsistencies. Somehow, since I liked both the main characters, I may have considered mundane things such as the missing epi pen irrelevant to the "real" story - the impending romance. My only problem is that Google lacks any listings for the key lines of the "new" song: "if you believe in yourself and trust what's inside, it's like taming a horse you could never ride." I suspect those lines arise from some (unpublished?) poem, and I would have liked very much to identify that poem. In my own opinion, those lines would have keyed a successful county song. The rendition in the movie was fairly good, lots of feeling, and could have been sold as a song per se. However, I could not find it as either song or poem, so I am disappointed therein.

I am giving this a 7 because it is sappy sweet and that's the mood I was looking for. However, this movie is full of holes. SPOILER ALERT......

1. It's pretty apparent that aside from his initial mouthiness, the dude is not a bad boy. 2. What is up with 1990 hair cut on the manager? 3. Jason has an allergic reaction to strawberries, during which he says he can't breath. No epi pen was used. Later, when they make the strawberry shortcakes, he pops a strawberry in his mouth. Not to mention when he has the reaction, the later that day (let alone the next day), he looks as though he didn't have any reaction at all (in time for a photo shoot. Isn't this a bit dangerous? 4. Beth has way too much time on her hands. She has a backstory as a failed singer (and later goes on to audition for an acting job-- why?). What is she doing with her time other than the strawberry festival, which seems to be her life (aside from volunteering as a glee club coach). 5. Beth is annoying and took herself too seriously. When she has a worried look, she looks like Kim Cattrall, and when she smiles she looks like Angela Basset playing Tina Turner. 6. Roxanne- she's supposed to be a bitchy, trampy, bitter barfly. Yet is forgiving enough to clap at the big finale when she loses the guy who could take her away from it all. 7. Shelly Long (need I say more) and Cindy Williams (Laverne and Shirley), and Meagan Fay (Roseanne's bitchy neighbor) needed MUCH BIGGER roles. They were awesome! 8. The glee club member with glasses has the acting capacity of a rock. 9. Having said that and being familiar with festival planning, if any festival were really run like this, it would be horrible.

Goofs: 1. Popping the strawberry after we know he has an allergy. 2. When the main chick wipes Jason's face, there are a lot of inconsistency with the placement of the whipped topping from shot to shot. 3. During the allergic reaction the severity of the rash on his face varies.

How can you not adore this film! It has more holes than a block of swiss cheese but the cast is superb: Shelley Long, Cindy Williams, Meagan Fay and more represent the veterans of the craft with finesse. Trevor Donovan and Julie Mond are so delightful, young, and full of promise and talent just like the characters they play. The original song 'Catching Horses' sure is catchy and I love that it strikes to the heart of panic attacks and anxiety disorders, exhorting us to believe in ourselves and not the fear inside. This is an easy and fun watch. The message is an important one.

I loved the music and most of all looking at Trevor Donovan. Being true to yourself and following your dreams are the themes in this original Hallmark Movie Channel film starring Julie Mond and Trevor Donovan. Strawberry Summer takes place in a small Southern California community at Strawberry Festival time. The whole town focuses on all things strawberry - strawberry shortcake, strawberry spaghetti, and even plain old strawberries. At first you roll your eyes, because the whole deal is as corny as Kansas in August.

But after a while you figure hey, what the heck, everyone's having a good time, so why not just join in and enjoy the moment?

Everything doesn't have to be cool or even be art