Ms. Matched

The 2016 June Wedding Hallmark films were a bit of a mixed bag. There were ones that were good, 'Wedding Bells' springing to mind. There were also ones that were real misfires, 'The Convenient Groom' being one. The 2016 Hallmark films varied, some good ones ('Love in Paradise', 'Summer Villa'), some bad ones ('Unleashing Mr Darcy', 'The Convenient Groom') and many of them somewhere in between. The premise for 'Ms Matched' did sound quite cute.

Unfortunately, the execution was anything but. Really do have to agree with everybody that has said that 'Ms Matched' is terrible and has almost nothing to recommend it. Personally have seen worse films overall, but as far as Hallmark films it is somewhere in the bottom end. It is definitely too one of their worst from 2016 and the worst June Weddings film from that year. Have liked Alexa PenaVega elsewhere but this is not a good representation of her or anybody else involved.

'Ms Matched's' least bad aspects are the production values and Shawn Roberts. The production values, especially the scenery are quite attractive.

Roberts, despite being an unusual choice for a love interest and maybe could have played the role softer, does inject some charm and charisma.

PenaVega is however completely flat as a character that is very sketchily developed (never rising above typical Hallmark cliche) and dull in personality. She and Roberts are hopelessly mismatched, do agree that they have nothing in common and the development of their very under-utilised romance is non existent to the extreme, they wouldn't even be believable as acquaintances. Neither of the two characters are interesting or likeable, with the film really overdoing Roberts' character's cluelessness. The supporting cast were clearly under-directed and act as if they had no idea how to play their roles, which to be honest gives them practically nothing to work with.

Furthermore, the direction is barely routine and is often static and aimless. The music is used too much and is too loud, also badly lacking in variety. The script is very stilted and is filled to the brim with the pongiest of cheese, cavity inducing sugary sentiment and dreariness, there is no wit or spark or anything emotional. There is no charm or heart in the storytelling, and the film badly suffers from the over the top lack of realism. Very little makes sense here, especially in the final act. Worst of all is the very rushed and sudden out of the blue-like complete 180 of an ending, which feels like an over convenient cheat.

Concluding, not worth bothering with. 2/10.

Some weaker movies take me a few attempts to watch the whole thing, but I quit outright after about 20 mins of this. I can't stand people getting obsessed with big weddings - it's the whole marriage that matters, so why put yourselves under so much stress for just day one? Therefore I couldn't connect with the lead character at all and was more on the side of the frowned upon fella.

Normally a movie this bad doesn't deserve a review, but maybe I can save future people some time and tell you not to bother. Let's be honest, most romantic comedies aren't exactly realistic but they're still enjoyable and most of us have a little part inside that hopes we will have our own fairy tale someday. This. Was. Ridiculous. I still don't understand how the ending helped anyone, and I still don't understand what in the world the male lead could have seen in Libby. Skip this, unless you want to see an over-the-top ending that makes zero sense.

The male lead was likable. And the tension between him and the female lead got me laughing.

However, both the female lead and her bridal client look very immature, treating the male characters like they're cynical bad guys for advocating a responsible budget. Alexa PenaVega's character goes back and forth so many times, that I think it should scare off the love interest. At one point, she turns pretty nasty, and she never apologizes for it.

A lot of viewers have criticized the ending, and I will too. It came so totally out of left field. It's okay to have surprises in a story, but those surprises still need to be consistent with the plot and characters.

I love Hallmark movies, but I really like a few of them. This is one of the even better ones. These two have different ideas about what a wedding should be. The man thinks you should save your money and be practical, because he was once hurt. While the woman thinks it is your one perfect day and you should make it special. The only weird part is the end. OK watch James Welch Henderson, Arkansas 6/18/2021.