Love Under the Olive Tree is a Canadian television film directed by Peter DeLuise and written by Samantha Herman, with a story by Jenna Milly and Ann Marie Allison.[1] The cast includes Tori Anderson, Benjamin Hollingsworth, and Shawn Roberts. It premiered on the Hallmark Channel on June 20, 2020.
| Love Under the Olive Tree | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Written by | Samantha Herman |
| Directed by | Peter DeLuise |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Mikel Hurwitz |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Amar Balaggan |
| Cinematography | Thomas M. Harting |
| Editor | Mark Shearer |
| Running time | 82 minutes |
| Production companies | Bar None Productions Vector Film Services |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hallmark Channel |
| Release | June 20, 2020 |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (April 2021) |
A conflict arises between two local olive oil ranches. Nicole Cabella is determined to prove the opponent Jake Brandini her family's recipe is award-worthy. But what if these two fall in love?.
Cast
edit- Tori Anderson as Nicole Cabella
- Benjamin Hollingsworth as Jake Brandini
- Shawn Roberts as Adam Caulfield
- Gardiner Millar as Frank Cabella
- Hrothgar Mathews as Tom Cabella
- Andrew Dunbar as Billy Stevens
- Laura Drummond as Gloria Cabella
- Jerry Wasserman as Raphael Brandini
- Barry W. Levy as Maxwel Brandini (credited as Barry Levy)
- Robyn Bradley as Eleanor Brandini
Production
editThe movie was shot in British Columbia, Canada, in July and August 2019.[2][3] One specific location was the Milsean Shoppe in Aldergrove, BC.[4] It was originally scheduled to be released in September 2019 but the premiere was postponed.[2] Love Under the Olive Tree explores two evolving relationships: one that is heterosexual, and the other one between a same-sex couple (Shawn Roberts and Andrew Dunbar).[5][6][7] Roberts portrays Adam Caulfield, the lead character's gay best friend and her co-worker.[5][8][9] According to the actor, the gay subplot was handled in the script in "the most natural and authentic way".[8] Roberts went on to say: "I'd never seen that in any other scripts before. It wasn’t a comment one way or another about anything, or what kind of relationships are out there, and without shining a light on things, just have something open and accepting."[8][9]
Critical reception
editIn a journal for Fangirl, Interrupted the two lead characters were named "the Montagues and Capulets of the olive oil world", and the movie itself was praised for its inclusion of the LGBT characters.[6] A review for The Best Darn Girls was mostly favorable: "While the conclusion is anticlimactic, the love story still has promise."[10] Albert Nowicki of We'll Always Have the Movies praised the movie for its "charming setting" and "the natural portrayal of a queer relationship".[7] He also believed Roberts' character was a positive gay role model and went on to describe him as a "Bruce Willis type of a man", "with a musculature of a Superman".[7]
References
edit- ^ DeLuise, Peter (2020-06-20), Love Under the Olive Tree (Drama, Romance), Bar None Productions, Vector Film Services, retrieved 2022-07-19
- ^ a b Dube Dwilson, Stephanie (August 9, 2020). "Hallmark's 'Love Under the Olive Tree': See Where It's Filmed, Photos & Meet the Cast". Heavy. Archived from the original on 2020-06-24. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ "Interview With Actress Robyn Bradley". My Devotional Thoughts. November 5, 2019. Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ "Love Under the Olive Tree". Hallmark for All Seasons. June 23, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "Tori Anderson and Benjamin Hollingsworth Talk Love Under the Olive Tree (Exclusive)". TV Goodness. June 18, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-08-17. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "A Little Romance". Fangirl, Interrupted. June 23, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-07-16. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ a b c Nowicki, Albert (August 20, 2020). "Hallmark otwiera się na postaci gejowskie. ('Love Under the Olive Tree', 2020)". We'll Always Have the Movies (in Polish). Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Hallmark's 'Love Under The Olive Tree': Cast, Plot & Trailer". What's Hot. June 20, 2020. Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ a b Gidlow, Steve (June 19, 2020). "Hallmark Breaks New Ground with 'Love Under the Olive Tree'". MediaVillage. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ "Love Under the Olive Tree – Review". The Best Darn Girls. June 28, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.