'Matching Hearts': A predictable movie that doesn't add any substance to plethora of Valentine's Day content
This story contains major spoilers for the Hallmark Channel movie 'Matching Hearts'
Taylor Cole's Julia Palmer has never felt alone. Surrounded by a loving family, caring friends, and working a job she absolutely loves, Julia never felt being single as a problem.
But after meeting the handsome, intelligent, witty, charming Daniel (literally all the adjectives Julia uses for him over the course of the movie), she learns she indeed wants romantic companionship, a hand to hold on to in dire times.
Julia is a professional matchmaker who is trying to convince Daniel (Ryan Paevey) to join her matchmaking services. Daniel is a really popular tech entrepreneur who helps people with their startups. Now, what makes Daniel such a hot cake for Julia and her agency? He preaches singledom to be the secret for success. Since successfully matching him up with someone would mean phenomenal publicity - all gratis! - Julia jumps at the cause.
But even before she gets on the job, the two happen to conveniently run into each other all over the town. And even though Julia is supposed to get Daniel on board as a client, it is clear from the very first meeting that the two are flirting with each other - they have undeniable chemistry. And honestly, it is disturbing. For instance, at a point in the movie, someone points out how they're the new power couple with a cute routine and they clarify that they're professionals - all while he is standing barely inches behind her.
Daniel, while hesitant to join the service at first, eventually gives in solely because of his interest in Julia. They try matching him with different women and obviously it doesn't work out because you know from the minute the movie began that Daniel and Julia are meant to get together. Even their mutual friends know it.
The question is how and when.
Julia and her matchmaking agency are preparing for a big Valentine's Day party that is supposed to be the big event of the year. The run-up to this party is so hyped up, that you know this is where - in the last three minutes of the 1.24 hour-long movie - that the two are supposed to get together.
'Matching Hearts' is a pretty predictable movie - by that, we mean that you know how it is going to end. The movie doesn't take any risks and frankly, it is not something you'd expect from a Hallmark television movie.
Julia is disturbingly chirpy for someone who deals with the intimacy of human existence on a regular basis. Nowhere is she affected by the gross reality of love, relationships and marriages in today's world. And that is where our problem is - the movie is outdated in its treatment of the subject and its narrative. The characters have no flaws and a squeaky clean conscience - very rare attributes in the real world.
'Matching Hearts' does not add any substance to the already existing plethora of Valentine's Day content. However, if mush is your scene, this is your scene.
'Matching Hearts' premieres on Hallmark Channel on February 8 at 9/ 8c.