By Andrea K. Hammer
Sometimes, writers draw inspiration from beautiful settings. Despite these backdrops, some of the following six movies also explore the unsettling themes of misrepresentation and misuse of material without proper credit:
Hearts Under the Olive Tree
Directed by John Murlowski, Hearts Under the Olive Tree stars Jenna Michno, Sam Schweikert, René Ashton and Nic Robuck. With strong comedic elements, this movie opens with a hysterical scene showing a writer organizing M&Ms by color as she struggles with writer’s block. As the mother and agent who is determined to get her daughter back on track, Rene Ashton delivers the standout performance, with her snappy dialogue delivery and humorous gestures. Her insistence on scheduling a retreat and sessions with a disciplined olive tree owner makes for an unlikely but fascinating way to jump-start creativity–while simultaneously solving the farmer’s financial troubles.
Passport to Love
Directed by Brian Brough, Passport to Love features Shae Robins, Mason Mac, Gabriel Casdorph and Charlotte Hemmings.The film reveals the life of a busy travel blogger who unexpectedly lands in a double-booked seaside rental with a competing magazine sales rep. After the travelers decide to share the space and strike up a connection, themes about competitive undercutting and issues about trust are explored–despite the backdrop of a beautiful setting.
The Nature of Romance
In The Nature of Romance, Christine Conradt directs Matthew Brown, Kennedy Caughell, Brant Daugherty and Kimberly Daugherty. Focusing on another travel writer visiting a nature reserve, the film shows stunning waterfall views under the guidance of a park ranger. As the latter tries to increase attendance and interest in the destination, the story shows how a writer’s work can help others achieve greater visibility.
The Story of Love
Set in a Tahoe writers’ retreat, Bill Corcoran directs Brittany Bristow, Franco Lo Presti, Gianpaolo Venuta and Rosemary Dunsmore in The Story of Love. The film focuses on Ruby, an aspiring romance novelist trying to win a book deal. As the hotel owner Woody opens her eyes to the beauty of nature, her interest in new subjects begin to shift. The film is also notable for shattering the illusion of her literary hero, an absentee retreat leader who mispresents his assistant’s writing as his own-and maneuvers in a sly attempt to use her ideas and content before she objects.
Meet You in Scotland
In another story about writing misrepresentation and identity theft, David Lumsden directs Emma Fischer, Finlay Bain, Lewis Howden and Barbara Horne. Meet You in Scotland uncovers how an aspiring writer pretends to be a well-known author. When the assistant at a literary agency is sent to pick up a literary award for the established author, she allows herself to be caught up in a mistaken identity scheme. The hysterical airport scene, with the young woman enjoying pampering that the author would experience, and the painful but finally honest confession about her true identity are ones to remember.
Romantic Rewrite
Directed by Damián Romay, Romantic Rewrite showcases the talents of Kristina Cole Geddes, Russell Quinn, Reed Favero, Allee Sutton Hethcoat. In this movie, a rising romance book editor who has the opportunity for a promotion attempts to add romantic elements to a resistant mystery writer’s work. A parallel story line follows the pair attending her best friend’s beach wedding, with the possibility of transforming their pretend romance into a genuine one.