The Hallmark Channel’s “Summer Nights” series of weekly original films kicks off with The Greek Aisle, starring Nikki DeLoach and Apostolis Totsikas. The film takes viewers on a Mediterranean vacation from the comforts of home as our leading lady takes to the Greek island of Corfu in order to settle a family affair that sees her stumble into a marriage of convenience. Is this fake relationship truly as temporary as they initially believe? Is this movie worth taking the time to watch? Is it physically possible to magically transport the delicious-looking Greek food from the movie to your stomach? You may just have to watch the movie to find out.
The Gist: Georgia (Nikki DeLoach) and Rose (Maurii Davenport) are longtime friends who take the major risk to leave their secure corporate business jobs in order to create their own start-up company that helps small businesses with branding and marketing. In order to keep their start-up afloat in these early days, they’ve taken out business loans that they still need to pay off, so right now it’s all hands on deck. Unfortunately, their best laid plans quickly go awry when Georgia receives a final notice stating that she must go to Corfu, Greece as soon as possible to fulfill her beloved late Aunt Margaret’s will and secure her inheritance.
Determined to settle the matter quickly, Georgia leaves her home in Denver to spend five days on the stunning Mediterranean island where she studied abroad as an undergrad 20 years prior. She reconnects with her aunt’s old friend, widowed restaurant owner Elena (Wanja Mary Sellers), whose son Alex (Apostolis Totsikas) was one of Georgia’s first friends in Greece during her stay two decades ago. Once an awkward young man, Alex has grown into a handsome, cat-loving policeman with dreams of making career moves as a private detective. With a job application pending, he feels like his life is at least slightly moving forward as he prepares to inherit his late neighbor and friend, Margaret’s home.
This leads to the surprising realization that Margaret has left both Georgia and Alex as co-inheritors, putting a major wrench in Georgia’s plan to sell the property for the sake of her business. Georgia suggests that Alex buy out her share of the inheritance, but doing so could take six months to process due to international laws and Georgia’s status as a non-Greek citizen. Luckily, there’s a quick but insane loophole: for Georgia and Alex to get married. Georgia extends her trip, talking Alex into one month of fake marriage to help each other achieve their respective professional and personal aspirations before annulling the union and going their separate ways. But the more time they spend together on this incredible island, the more the lines between fake and real blur as they grow closer, forcing them to reconsider what they want, who they are, and if they have the courage to look before they leap.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of? The Greek Aisle might recall various aspects of the 2009 rom-com The Proposal, the 2002 rom-com My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and the Greek island-set 2008 musical rom-com Mamma Mia!.
Performance Worth Watching: DeLoach delivers a winning performance, carrying the film with a likable ease. She also has good chemistry with everyone she shares a scene with, making it a joy to watch her every time she’s onscreen.
Memorable Dialogue: This exchange between Georgia and Alex as she tries to get him to come around to the idea of a marriage of convenience:
“People can’t think I married someone I just met.”
“Calm down, it’s not like we’re strangers. We do have a little history, after all.”
“Ancient history.”
“We’re in Greece! Isn’t that what your people are famous for?”
Honorable mention for Georgia’s “I just don’t want this to balloon into anything bigger, you know? It’s my little skinny Greek wedding, not the opposite.”
Sex And Skin: There are a few moments where Alex is shirtless, but this is still Hallmark, so that’s as risqué as it ever gets.
Our Take: The Greek Aisle is a strong showing by Hallmark in their original summer programming, as it whisks you away on an entertaining international adventure from the comforts of home. First and foremost, the Corfu setting is absolutely beautiful, with rich history, amazing architecture, and breathtaking seaside views. The food is another feature that just jumps off the screen and makes your mouth water, acting as pieces of authenticity and character throughout the film. From the setting to the meals to the outfits, everything about The Greek Aisle pops with color, character, and life, welcoming you into the world of this tale.
As for the storyline, sure, it’s kind of insane to jump straight into marrying a near-stranger for the sake of some inheritance law, but what’s a romance movie without a wild plot device or two, anyway? Honestly, I like that a fairly unserious tone is set from the start, and it’s something that all of the actors seem to inherently understand too, as they deliver committed, lighthearted performances imbued with charm and easy warmth. DeLoach and Totsikas have an easy chemistry that makes them fun to watch together, and the cast interacts with enough ease to make you believe their relationships and feel the sense of close-knit community through the screen. Ultimately, it’s a light and cute movie full of likable characters with whom I enjoyed spending the nicely-paced 84-minute runtime. What more could you ask for in a summer rom-com?
Our Call: The Greek Aisle is like a Greek island summer’s day: warm, breezy, and charming. Sure, it’s cheesy, but that’s what we love about a good Hallmark movie! Embrace that sweet, sweet schmaltz and STREAM IT!
How To Watch The Greek Aisle
The only way to watch Hallmark Channel live without cable is by using a live TV streaming service. We recommend DIRECTV, which comes with a five-day free trial before payment begins.
DIRECTV offers a number of flexible subscription options, including Genre Packs, so you can best choose which streaming plans fit your needs and budget. Plans start at $49.99/month.
Maddy Casale is a Chicago-based writer and comedian who covers everything from animated series to Hallmark movies. Follow her on Duolingo @MCasale.