A Royal Seaside Romance Kicks Off Autumn Harvest on Great American Family
Fans who have been patiently waiting for new, original premieres on Great American Family were absolutely delighted by the first movie out of the gate for Autumn Harvest 2022--a movie that equals, dare I say bypasses, Hallmark in quality and engagement.
A Royal Seaside Romance is about a realtor in Shaw Bay who is determined to find the perfect property for her very private and handsome client all while trying to protect the town from redevelopment. Little does Erin know that Theo is a prince trying to build a life outside of his home country who wants people to like him for himself rather than his royal status.
The plot of a royal hiding their identity is not new for Great American Family (or any other network). Jingle Bell Princess, with Merritt Patterson and Trevor Donovan, shares the same theme. It's okay--royal movies are adult versions of fairytales, and we never tire of them!
A Royal Seaside Romance stars Brittany Bristow and Dan Jeannotte.
My Movie Grade: A
My Favorite Part About this Movie: It's So Relatable
How many of you would get mayo all over yourself in front of someone you hope to impress? This happens to Erin twice with Theo, yet the lack of social grace makes her more approachable and human. Erin is a far cry from the fellow royal Theo is supposed to wed, but he's still drawn to her warm and down-to-earth persona.
Theo's behavior isn't always prince-like either. Like a child, he gets his jollies from sneaking up on Frank in order to startle him. On his first attempt at fishing, he drops the pole into the water, and when he tries to repair Bess's fish figurine, he glues his fingers to it!
Even as a business owner, Bess has room for improvement. Like many of us, Bess gets the job done, but not with excessive flair. Frank teaches her a few tricks to add class to her inn, including table arrangement, napkin folding, flower arranging, and tea making. Bess wants to be miffed, but she knows Frank is right, and since the two have so much in common, she concedes and follows his lead,
A Royal Seaside Romance is well-written, and the character development is first rate. You can see yourself in some of the roles because the characters are both relatable and common, yet fun and interesting, too.
The Movie Contains a Counter-Cultural Message
We live in a society that is becoming increasingly self-absorbed and narcissistic. A Royal Seaside Romance includes a message that points us back to what should be a core value: sometimes it's necessary to put the needs of others before our own.
Erin misses out on a lot because she puts her clients and hometown at the top of her priority list. The sacrifices are worth it because she ultimately finds her happy ending. Her care and concern for others adds to her charm and appeal.
Theo, knowing how important it is to Erin to circumvent the town's redevelopment plans, proves he's willing to go back to his country, follow in his father's footsteps, and marry someone he doesn't love if it means he can save Erin's beloved town. Thankfully, his father relents.
Frank wants nothing more than to stay in Shaw Bay with Bess, but he is faithful and dutiful to his position. No matter how he feels, he will not abandon the royal family.
Maybe these examples are a bit over-the-top. Being good to others doesn't usually result in martyrdom. It is a refreshing change, nonetheless, to see a movie that celebrates "loving your neighbor" only for kindness to boomerang.
Erin doesn't agree with her realtor competitor who advocates for the redevelopment of Shaw Bay, yet she doesn't set out to destroy Martha. In our current cancel-and-bully-opposition-into-silence culture, it's nice to see it demonstrated how two people can be at odds without acting maliciously!
If the tiara fits, wear it! Image: Great American Media
How Do You Take Your Tea?
There's a cute scene where Frank takes Bess's China tea pot out of the display case to show her how to properly make tea. Most Americans steep tea bags in boiling water, but the English way is to use loose tea leaves, hot water, sugar, and milk.
More About Brittany Bristow & Dan Jeannotte
Brittany Bristow has appeared in several movies, mostly in supporting roles: Love, Romance, Chocolate, Love on Safari, and Christmas at the Palace, just to name a few. She's played the lead in Holiday Date, Love in Whitbrooke, Story of Love, and A Tail of Love. A Royal Seaside Romance is her first Great American Family production.
Bristow is a newlywed who just tied the knot on September 16, 2022, to Dustin Keating, whom she's been dating since August 2019.
Brittany Bristow married real-life sweetheart, Dustin Keating, on September 16, 2022. Photo from Instagram.
Dan Jeannotte might be most recognizable from his roles in Good Witch and Paris, Wine, and Romance, Sweeter Than Chocolate, and From Chicago with Love.
Jeannotte has been married to fellow actress, Heidi Hawkins, since 2012, and the couple shares one son together.
Dan Jeannotte met wife, Heidi Hawkins, when they were both playing in Shakespeare's "How You Like It."
Bristow and Jeannotte are wonderfully entertaining in A Royal Seaside Romance. The movie was undoubtedly filmed earlier in the year and relegated to the Autumn Harvest line-up later, so the only thing missing--Fall accents!
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