The Matchmaker (1997)

Simply Perfect

Brilliant and touching

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

"The MatchMaker" is part romantic comedy, part political satire. A senator (Jay O. Sanders) trying to pander to voters sends his assistant (Janeane Garofalo) to Ireland to find his relatives. While on the Emerald Isle, she catches the attention of rival matchmakers -- that's for people who match each other, not the objects used to light fires -- and a bartender.The movie puts a spin on what has become the stereotype of the Ireland-themed movie: we have all the things that we associate with Eire, but Garofalo's sarcastic character gives the flick exactly what it needs. It goes to show that a movie can still be funny without being an exercise in scatological humor. I certainly enjoyed it.Also starring Milo O'Shea (Friar Laurence in Franco Zefferelli's "Romeo & Juliet"), Rosaleen Linehan, Denis Leary and David O'Hara (Albert Runcorn in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1").So yes, matchmaker, do make me a match.

Oh, 'The Matchmaker'. Is there a more perfect film around?? If you're looking for high-brow entertainment,certainly, but if you want something fluffy to watch on a lonely afternoon then this is what you are seeking.Set for the most part in Ireland, 'The Matchmaker' follows an American city girl who is thrust into a rural setting when her boss, an American senator, sends her to Balinagragh (have no idea how to spell it!) in order to seek out his Irish roots. She accepts the mission, is thrust into the heart of an Irish matchmaking festival, meets a charming Irish rogue and falls in love with the inhabitants of the town. So far, so predictable. However this film is charming and comic; especially in its portrayal or rural/small town Irish life - the depictions are scarily realistic.Garofalo is in her prime in this role; both age-wise and in terms of her performance, as she is portraying a character who is still slightly cynical, but less bitchy and more likable than many of her previous characters. The supporting cast is great and provides the majority of the film's charm; Milo O'Shea particularly standing out as the local matchmaker.These factors, plus the fact that I'm a sucker for an Irish accent,make this film one of the most enjoyable of those i have on my shelves and is watched again and again.

I came into this movie with high expectations. First, I really liked Janeane Garofalo in The Truth About Cats And Dogs. Second, I loved Waking Ned Devine and looked forward to another charming little film about Ireland. However, I was very surprised just how uninvolved I felt about this movie and shortly after it was over, I had nearly forgotten what it was all about anyways. If it had been better, I would have remembered much more about it and if it were bad the same could be said. It was sort of like eating tuna casserole--not bad but far from something I would choose to consume! To me, it also looked as if the actors and writers felt pretty much the same way. It's just an inoffensive and bland film.

I love this movie, I am Irish, and take no offense at either the characters or the language (bollocks!!). All of which came across as very real. Good old fashioned Irish rogues, out to have a bit of "craic"(meaning fun, pronounced "crack"). This is one of my favorite Irish movies. Janeane Garofalo is beautiful and talented, Denis Leary is hilarious in his sleaziest, Milo O'Shea and Rosaline Linehan are hilarious also as the two rival matchmakers, although Rosaline wasn't given near enough to do. Lots of colorful Irish characters, Eamon Kelly, David Kelly too. If you like a bit of old fashioned "stage" Irishness, then you'll enjoy this movie, lots of laughs and little off color humor (when Eamon Kelly finds his missing teeth - yuk!)but definitely laugh out loud hilarious entertainment. Did I mention the lovely West of Ireland and Aran Islands scenery? Watch out for reviews with spoilers, as they'll ruin the whole movie for you.