Full disclosure, I haven't watched this Hallmark movie....BUT, I just saw the "movie poster"/ad moments ago on my facebook feed and knew not to bother. I came here to see if my instincts were correct and it seems they are. Obvious miscasting and sterile romanticizing. I've thought for years the characters of Mitford deserve a TV series. I'm going to sound older than I am here...but in the vein of The Waltons w/room for all of the town's quirky characters and special locations---but with a modern time frame. I'm sure we would still be disappointed in characters because they are so vivid in each of our own minds, but they would be given the "fleshing out" that is due them.Never should have been just a movie. ---Thank you for your reviews saving my time...although again, just from the picture of the two main characters, it was obvious.

Remember to good Hallmark movies? This is not one of them! Finally watched it on YouTube. Please don't use that screenwriter, casting director, etc. again, if you intend to make sequels. I am on Jan Karon's FB page and never knew this movie was going to be made. She must have given up all rights to casting. I would have donated money to a kickstarter account to make the movie the way she wanted. I envisioned Beau Bridges as Father Tim, and Emma Thompson as Cynthia (American accent). If anyone in the entertainment business read AARP Magazine, they would know that many of us want movies with mature actors. Sheesh. Not Cameron Matheson as Father Tim. Not even close. What a shame.

I love Hallmark. I like the uplifting boy meets girl, live happily ever after stories. But the complexity and spirituality of the Mitford books was totally lost in this movie. Hallmark missed the opportunity to develop this into a great series. Fr. Tim was totally miscast. Cameron Mathison is a great romantic lead, but this was not the role for him. In the books, his character demonstrates the wonder and glory of finding love late in life. He is a pudgy, bespectacled, balding diabetic. His diabetes and depression are an integral part of the novels. In addition to depression and diabetes, alcoholism, Alzheimer's and mental illness are dealt with in informative and compassionate manner.Please don't do this to the rest of the Mitford novels.

Did Jan Karon agree to this? The story has been watered down and fluffed. I don't get it. The actors are all wrong, and the dialogue is silly. This is total Hallmark and not at all Karon. How did this happen? These excellent books deserve so much better screen writing and acting. This is so disappointing.