'Five Blind Dates' Review: Shawn Seet's directorial rom-com movie is endearing yet predictable
Spoilers for 'Five Blind Dates' on Amazon Prime Video
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Love is in the air, marking the return of the season of romance.
As we dive headfirst into the world of rom-coms, the resounding success of 'Upgraded' has set the stage. Now, Amazon Prime Video introduces a fresh addition to the genre with an Australian romantic comedy, 'Five Blind Dates.'
At the heart of the film is Lia (Shuang Hu), the owner of an artistic tea shop facing financial challenges. Despite the struggle to keep her business afloat, Lia remains steadfast in her commitment to preserving the shop's authenticity and refuses to succumb to the trend of adding bubble tea to her menu.
Lia's world takes an unexpected turn when, alongside her best friend Mason (Ilai Swindells), she embarks on a journey to Townsville for her sister Alice's (Tiffany Wong) engagement party. A fortune teller adds a touch of magic to the celebration by predicting that Lia is destined to meet her soulmate within the next five dates.
Can she find her soulmate? Will she add bubble tea to her menu? These questions form the crux of the plotline.
utstanding performances by the cast
Shuang Hu has done an outstanding job in both the writing and acting departments. Her effortlessly elegant yet determined nature breathes life into Lia's character on the screen.
Her inherent charisma radiates throughout the movie, instantly making Lia both appealing and approachable. This captivates the viewer from start to finish.
Yoson An's portrayal of the childhood friend who harbors affection for Lia is captivating. His subtle portrayal of Richard adds depth to the movie and enhances the dynamic cast.
Ilai Swindells, portraying Lia's gay best friend, introduces a charming and endearing layer to the movie's storyline.
'Five Blind Dates' is loaded with classic romantic tropes
The movie's direction unfolds like a steaming cup of familiar tea, pleasant yet predictable. Shawn Seet skillfully captures the essence of the plot with competent direction, seamlessly incorporating Hollywood tropes. It also serves as a sweet homage to the good old romance era of movies.
Seet's direction strikes a lovely balance between classic romance tropes and a modern perspective on love.
Written by Shuang Hu and Nathan Ramos-Park, the movie's script embraces the conventional romantic formula while weaving an enticing tale of love, friendship, and ultimately self-discovery. However, there are moments when you may find yourself a step ahead of the characters due to their predictable nature.
For instance, the resolution to Lia's failing tea shop is humorous but lacks any element of surprise. The 90-minute runtime makes the movie breezy and works in its favor.
In conclusion, despite its flaws, 'Five Blind Dates' succeeds in eliciting laughter and evoking fond memories of simpler, more charming films. It relies on entertaining stories with a lighthearted tone, prioritizing humor over lavish production values or intricately developed characters.
The film takes us back to a period when charm and simplicity were sufficient to draw in viewers.
'Five Blind Dates' is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.