Title DossierComedy

Lake Effects

ComedyFamilyRomance

After the loss of their father, two estranged sisters reunite with their mother at their enchanting family lake house and find that the secret to overcoming tragedy and rebuilding hope lies in their ability to look deeper at themselves.

Year

2012

Duration

1h 34m

IMDb

5.6

Poster Feed

Cast

Scottie Thompson

Sara

Jane Seymour

Vivian

Madeline Zima

Lily

Cast

Scottie Thompson

Sara

Jane Seymour

Vivian

Madeline Zima

Lily

Jeff Fahey

Ray

Casper Van Dien

Ash Henson

Sean Patrick Flanery

Mark Futterman

Ben Savage

Carl

Eyal Podell

Tyler

Richard Moll

Old Vic

Ron Canada

Winchester

Mary Beth McDonough

Elizabeth

Richard Riehle

Chairman McCarren

LT

Liberty the Dog

Dobie

Jennifer Massey

Jeanne

SW

Scott Winters

Dave Boyers

Martin Thompson

The Minister

Barry Papick

Tourist

Sara Elizabeth Timmins

Irene

Trailer

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Comments

10 Comments

حسام الرسامNov 24, 2025

𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗯 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹🤎Nov 24, 2025

lizasoberanoApr 28, 2023

This is a heartwarming Hallmark film about a family torn apart and reunites after the father dies from an accident. The scenery of the lake was spectacular and the acting was excellent. You could really relate to each of their parts. The only problem I had with the film was the loud music playing constantly in the background. Music is supposed to be in the background, so you can hear each word clearly. Now Hallmark has the music louder than the speaking and continuous. It is like going to a concert and a lecture at the same time and trying to give attention to each equally. Years ago the classic films did not have music when there was speaking unless it was at a climatic point in the movie. I love Hallmark movies, but if I can't hear it clearly, I turn it off half way through the movie. My family and I all have perfect hearing, so it has nothing to do with that. It just annoys all of us and is very disappointing.

Customized Accessories Plug🔥Apr 28, 2023

I really wanted to love this movie as I live on Smith Mountain lake. The storyline is OK. Unfortunately, the acting and/or direction is just awful. By all means watch it, but don't let your expectations get too high.

ah.02sApr 28, 2023

Nice to see this lake in Virginia and so many familiar actors. Story about small town values. Enjoyable and slightly underrated.

Hareesh ShoranurApr 28, 2023

This movie is a great family movie that delves into parent/child relationships. This movie explores the return of a woman to her hometown and the conflicts she faces within herself about her decision to leave home and explore the world as a young adult. She deals with grief, love, and her perception of relationships and the world around her throughout the movie. The actors all did a great job, and this one does pull at the heartstrings. I highly recommend this one. Well worth watching. James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 3/16/2021

محمد البشتي🖤🔥Apr 28, 2023

This movie has it all romance, drama, comedy and a great story. You shed tears to turn around 2 seconds later and crack up laughing. The writer of this film was nothing but sure genius and I am sad he passed away. Once again we lose a great talent before his masterpiece in Lake Effects can woo the world. This is a must see movie for men and women. A chick flick that even a man can enjoy! This film houses Smith Mountain Lake at it's best. The same lake that was in What About Bob is now brought to camera with it's real name! Enjoy all of the beautiful scenic shots. Kick back and just feel like your sitting at home. This movie is a roller coaster of emotions that will leave you applauding with a smile.

carol luisApr 28, 2023

I am a Hallmark fan so the genre was not the problem but the background music far too loud and the whole concept of sanctimoniously hounding a community looking to smear your father's name after his death was maudlin and really distasteful. This is ugly through and through.

Archely💖Apr 28, 2023

I have no idea how I stumbled upon this one. It's a Lifetime movie-Independent hybrid. In fact, I think it was actually Hallmark that picked up the broadcast right for this straight-to-video movie. It's got an interesting cast -- Jane Seymour, Ben Savage (Boy Meets World,) Madeline Zima (The Nanny,) Richard Moll (Night Court,) Jeff Fahey and Scottie Thompson. The acting is mediocre from them all, mediocre story, nothing special there whatsoever. What makes it worth it is the fact it was filmed on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia, the same location as What About Bob. Gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful! I'm not in any rush to ever see this again but I'd strongly consider it for the filming location alone. 5.6 / 10 stars --Zoooma, a Kat Pirate Screener

MarcoApr 28, 2023

Sara and Lily grew up at Smith Mountain Lake. Sara became estranged from the family and without explanation moved to Los Angeles to study law. Her sister Lily, an artist, teaches locally and lives with their parents, Ray and Vivian, until Dad dies in an accident. The best hing about this film is the cast. Every great character actor is here, plus Jane Seymour and the nearly-forgotten Ben Savage. Unfortunately, it seems most of them gave the bare minimum level of performance, or the director simply did not attempt to get better out of them. The whole thing comes off as an amateur affair with no budget and actors eager to collect their (meager) paychecks and move on to the next project. I am sorry to disparage something with the legendary Jeff Fahey, but Hallmark (much like Lifetime) is not known for its quality. If anything, they are known for trying to pull the heart strings of easily-affected house wives.