Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama...
Love in Aruba doesn't play my favorite Beach Boys song, but two people do fall in love, just not to the rhythm of a steel drum band.
Love in Aruba isn't new. The movie was originally released in 2021, but it aired on Great American Family for the first time in February 2023. It was filmed on location in Aruba, so you get all the tropical feels of a desert island without even dipping a toe in the water or getting sand stuck in embarrassing places.
Image: Great American Media
My Movie Grade: B
What Is Love in Aruba About?
Connor (David McConnell) is a single dad whose work in the energy industry sends him to Aruba for the summer. He needs someone to tutor and look after his 10-year-old daughter, Macey, while he works. Amber (Sashleigha), a fourth grader teacher on break, is the only one who qualifies for the job.
It's been two years since Connor's wife abandoned him and Macey (Scarlett Hazen), so he finds having a woman in the house extraordinarily awkward. Macey, on the other hand, flourishes because she desperately needs a mother figure in her life.
Connor admits he doesn't know where the line should be drawn because the three of them are in an unusual situation. Given his past, he's very guarded and cautious, but Amber understands and suggests they just talk and interact naturally.
The more time Conner, Macey and Amber spend together exploring the island and hanging out at the beach, the more they start to feel like a family. It all culminates in a kiss, which Connor treats as a regret. Hurt, Amber returns home to see her sister's new baby and can't decide whether or not to finish her summer in Aruba.
With Amber gone, Connor and Macey desperately miss her. Connor realizes his mistake, and he and Macey fly home to make amends.
Where Was Love in Aruba Filmed and Do the Places in the Movie Really Exist?
Those blue, crystal-clear waters and beautiful sandy beaches aren't fake--the movie was actually filmed in Aruba, and the places the characters explore are favorite tourist destinations, such as the ones below:
- Palm Beach is the most visited beach. It is a two-mile strip that is home to the best high-rise hotels and boasts calm waters that are great for swimming, snorkeling, and water sports.
- Eagle Beach has soft, white sand and is the widest beach in Aruba. In 2019, it ranked at number three on a list of the best beaches in the world.
- Philip's Animal Garden is a non-profit zoo that rescues animals from Aruba and the surrounding region.
- Aruba Ostrich Farm offers interactive tours, which include hand-feeding these perpetually hungry creatures.
- Two Goldmill Ruins can also be explored in Aruba that date back to the 19th century gold rush. Ultimately, three million pounds of gold was produced here.
- Flamingo Beach is on a private island owned by the Renaissance Marriott, so this is likely where the scene from the movie was shot.
Have you ever vacationed in Aruba? If so, share your favorite destinations in the comment section!
Random Thoughts on Love in Aruba
The best part of this movie is the gorgeous backdrop of Aruba. Most rom-coms are set in either a big city or a small town, which can be filmed at any generic location in the U.S.A. or Canada. Far fewer transport us to an exotic location.
The actors do a great job making the viewer feel as awkward as their characters do while they adjust to living under the same roof in their unusual circumstance.
Macey is adorable and when she says how lucky kids are whose "moms want them," you can't help but feel the tug on your heart!
David McConnell doesn't rev my engine, so even though he does a fine job in his role, he doesn't have the ge ne sais quoi for an appealing lead. If the casting director's intention was to select an average Joe to be more relatable, then bingo, but I would have preferred someone hotter.
I like movies that avoid incorporating political correctness into the plot, so I'm not a fan of Connor's job being centered on wind energy and turbines. Windmills might have a small place in harnessing energy, but they are often touted by left-wing activists who promote the climate change hoax. The rom-com industry tries to appeal to everyone though, so I guess faux environmentalists need love too.
Many GAF fans were happy to see one of their favorites co-starring in this movie--Shae Robins. Robins has starred in both Identical Love and Destined at Christmas on Great American Family. Robins plays Amber's sister, Candice.
Love in Aruba is a sweet romance with heart that is definitely worth the watch.
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