What a treat to see such a heartwarming, feel-good movie! I’m still on cloud nine after watching Turnover, directed and co-written by Linda Palmer, one of my favorite filmmakers. Her movies always touch my heart. This time, she presents a group of wonderful characters who keep surprising us in scene after scene.

At the beginning of the film, we meet café owner Peter (Paul Guilfoyle) and his ambitious manager Henry (Riker Lynch).  Because of a health issue, Peter must take some time off, so he leaves Henry in charge. When Peter returns, he finds that Henry has quit – out of spite -- but not before hiring a crew of misfits to run the place. The auditions for jobs at Peter’s French café are hilarious! And the crew selected can’t believe Henry has actually picked them.

William (Adwin Brown), a young African-American applicant with no management experience, is astonished at getting the manager’s job; Miguel (Carlos Carrasco), a parolee who arrives on a motorcycle, doesn’t look anything like a French chef; and Gladys (Julia Silverman), the new head waitress hasn’t held a paying job for many years. Pepper (Isabella Blake-Thomas), a snarky rebellious teenager, admits she will be late every day. And, finally, the busboy’s position is given to an eager lad with Down’s syndrome (Blair Williamson) and a girlfriend (Jamie Brewer) who comes along to help him.

Of course, everything has to change, right?  But the one changing the most is Peter, who learns to appreciate the contributions of his unusual crew.  Paul Guilfoyle delivers a splendid performance here as a man struggling with his pretentious ex-wife (Kat Kramer) as well as with his health problems and the running of a restaurant with an all new staff.                  

Diversity and its glory

glisten during this film’s story.

It shows a café run by folks

who some treat like they are just jokes.

Strong characters of many kinds

help us feel and make up our minds.

Trust and love, and family too

make a difference to the crew.

TURNOVER is a special treat.

Inspiring, fun and really sweet!

No wonder Palmer’s feature film has received 14 nominations from the 2019 Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Ensemble, and Best Child Actor in addition to recognition of the movie’s musical score and cinematography!

(Released by Runaway Pictures; not rated by MPAA. Turnover screens for the first time at the 2019 Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema on March 8 and March 9.)