Beyond Repair: A Melanie Abrams Mystery

As I sat down to watch the 2021 Hallmark TV movie "Redemption in Cherry Springs", it was done so without ever having heard about this movie from writers John Bellina, Talia Gonzalez and Lauren Snowden. But I do believe in giving any movie that I haven't already seen a fair chance, so of course "Redemption in Cherry Springs" was given a chance as well. And I have to say that director Letia Clouston didn't deliver a movie that fell into my liking, and I found very little entertainment and enjoyment in the storyline. So it was quite a drag for me to sit through 84 minutes of subpar narrative of a storyline and plot that I cared very little about. I was mostly unfamiliar with the cast ensemble in the movie, aside from Frankie Faison. I will say, though, that the actors and actresses did carry the movie well enough, despite the fact of the storyline failing to find grounds with my liking. "Redemption in Cherry Springs" wasn't a movie that impressed me, and this is not something I will ever return to watch a second time. My rating of "Redemption in Cherry Springs" lands on a three out of ten stars.

This murder mystery is often streamlined with scenes jumping one to another quickly as evidence is gathered for the viewer. At times it feels fast paced and choppy at the same time. Interpersonal scenes are inserted at times developing relationships. Jake is very direct and to the point even with Melody. The focus of the movie is more on the investigation than on any chemistry between the two. There are a lot of clues. It gets complicated. Something ominous is hanging over Melody which is reinforced by her backstory as an investigative reporter with enemies. Is it related to Tony's murder? Are the mysteries tied together or is something being set up for a sequel? Some of Melody's activities are illegal and jeopardize potential prosecution, but at one point they acknowledge at least one instance of this. Melody is also careless about her own personal safety, which is one reason I don't like some "amateur detective" mysteries. This is a good mystery movie even if it is a bit choppy at times. I think that is intentional so as to squeeze more details into the mystery. But Melody's insane carelessness and her B&E's take too much away from the movie for my preferences.

The film takes place in fictional Cherry Springs, Md. (Filmed in Hudson Valley, NY. ) Melanie Abrams (Rochelle Aytes) works for the fictional Boston Chronicle. She has taken time off of work to return to her roots following threats from an expose of the Fall River Plant which closed down afterwards. A lot of workers weren't happy. We are introduced to many characters. Jake (Keith D. Robinson) is a local detective transplanted from New York. When Tony (Rajiv Sharma) goes missing the two characters are both attempting to solve the case. We have brief introductions of a lot of people who we get to know better as the story develops. Things move quickly as we start amounting clues about 45 minutes into the film. I liked this feature better than most Hallmark films. Unfortunately it doesn't drop clues early in the feature like a real mystery.

The story line jumps around too much. Takes too long to get to the point. Characters are too shallow. Hallmark hasn't had too many good shows over the last year. New writers may help.

I watched the whole movie which was quite slow and I kept noticing myself flipping through magazines during it. When she confronted the guy he didn't admit to killing anyone or messing with her brakes. Who was the killer? Did I miss something? Both of us watched it and have no idea. I see that he helped but she was telling him that he could get off easy because he didn't kill anyone. And they never said who did. WTF? I can only hope in those few seconds I missed something.

I enjoyed the movie but found one flaw. When you sell a parents house because they need to move to a Nursing Home, the nursing home gets the money not the children.

The story moved a little slow but picked up the pace as it went on. Some Hallmark actors can be very wooden but the cast here was excellent. I really enjoyed how it left the ending for a sequel, in fact, I hope Hallmark approves a second movie. Filming in Hudson Valley NY was a nice change from the Vancouver area where most Hallmark movies are filmed.