Rating: 
Summary: Funny and charming
Review: I always love the story which sets in Ireland. Don't know why, maybe because the beautiful scenery and wonderful accent. Anyway, Janeane Garofalo played as Marcy, an employee worked for Senator McGlory. She was forced to go to Ireland, to Ballinagra to be exact, to find the senator's Irish ancestors. She arrived at the village at the perfect time for The Matchmaking Festival. Marcy met a local man, Sean, played by David O Hara and sparks were coming between them.I enjoy the whole movie. It was funny from the start. Try to imagine two guys, both were suffering a broken leg which made both of their left legs on cast, trying to work together to drive a car on an empty Ireland road. Hilarious! The soundtrack was great too (especially love She's The One) and the scenery was engaging.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshingly different romantic comedy
Review: The Matchmaker is a romantic comedy with a twist - it has an orginal premise, funny characters, truly comic moments, and the leads look like real people, which only adds to their appeal. Janeane Garaofalo, as the U.S. Senator's aide visiting a coastal Irish village during their annual matchmaking fair, is funny and caustic. David O'Hara, as the seemingly n'er do well bartender who turns out to have a bit more going for him, is sexy as all get out, without looking anything like a Hollywood pretty boy. The two stars have great chemistry and timing with each other, and the supporting cast is excellent. The only false notes are sounded by Dennis Leary, who overacts a bit as the obnoxious Senator's aide, and the character of the Senator himself, who is too much of a caricature. Milo O'Shea brings a poignancy to the key Matchmaker role that could have easily sunk into a stereotype. This film has some very funny moments, with one of the best being a desperate car ride by O'Hara and his brother, both sporting full leg casts and trying in vain to pilot a stick shift. All in all, you could do worse than to spend a couple of hours with "The Matchmaker". It left me smiling, as well as wanting to see more of O'Hara in future lead roles.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthy of a Deluxe Turbo Tan!!
Review: Bollix to those of you who don't like this movie! It is filled with quirky off center humor and constantly had me asking, "Did I really just hear that?" As a very pale caucasion myself, I related particularly well to the various jokes about the lack of pigment in the Emerald Isle. Anyone who's ever been set up on a blind date will find the matchmaking humor particularly entertaining as well. The charachters are wild and eccentric, but entirely lovable. This is one of those movies that leaves you feeling warm fuzzys, and is not to be missed. Even if you end up hating it, I recommend that you watch it and decide for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Not The Quiet Man, Thank God
Review: Someone called this movie a romantic comedy for people who don't like romantic comedies, and I think that's pretty accurate. The story of a hapless senator's aide (Garafalo) who is shipped to Ireland to search out Irish relatives (bogus or otherwise) of her dim boss, it is refreshingly funny, cynical and lighthearted. While there are, of course, some of the Irish stereotypes and cliches to be found, they are presented in a very sly, acidic, tongue-in-cheek manner, and some of the digs at tourists are particularly funny. The characters are charming, from the matchmaker(s)to the Kelly brothers who run one of the local hotels/pubs. David O'Hara is a find as a romantic leading man--no pretty boy but very sexy--and Jeananne Garafalo makes a great, offbeat romantic foil for him. The scenery is beautiful (it's Ireland, after all) and the dialogue very funny and, at times, touching. Even Murphy, the dog, is funny (note especially the scene in the home of the crusty and anti-tourist Aran Islander). In sum, this movie has some of the best comedic scenes I've seen and some of the most endearing characters as well. Highly recommended for light viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy of a Deluxe Turbo Tan!!
Review: Bollix to those of you who don't like this movie! It is filled with quirky off center humor and constantly had me asking, "Did I really just hear that?" As a very pale caucasion myself, I related particularly well to the various jokes about the lack of pigment in the Emerald Isle. Anyone who's ever been set up on a blind date will find the matchmaking humor particularly entertaining as well. The charachters are wild and eccentric, but entirely lovable. This is one of those movies that leaves you feeling warm fuzzys, and is not to be missed. Even if you end up hating it, I recommend that you watch it and decide for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: This movie has beautiful scenery of Ireland but beyond that I can't recommend it. The acting is weak and the story hard to believe. There is a lot of offensive language that isn't really necessary to the story. The film never held my attention but did make me want to visit such a beautiful country.
Rating: 
Summary: a movie that should not have been made
Review: I can't begin to imagine that people would think this movie was charming and funny. The language was offensive; the acting in most cases was poor; we won't even comment on the writer's lack of talent. The only thing good about it was the Irish scenery, but sadly that was not enough to bring this movie up from the depths of bad taste. "Turkey" is too good a name for it.
Rating:
Summary: A Match Made In Ireland....
Review: This review refers to the Universal DVD edition of "The Matchmaker"..... Funny and romantic, sweet and charming, an unlikely but brillantly witty leading lady and the beauty of Ireland combine to make this little film a definate keeper! This one very much reminds me of those wonderful romantic screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's. Marci Tizard(Janeane Garofalo) is sent on on assignment by her boss, a Senator from Boston Mass, who is in dire need of some help getting re-elected. The assignment...to find the Senator McGlory's relatives in a small Brigadoonesque village in Ireland. Marci lands smack dab in the middle of a matchmaking festival and must ward off suitors in her quest to find the senator's roots. The towns people are charming but quirky, and there is one in particular that gets under Marci's skin. A cynical ex-journalist(David O'Hara) matches wits with her and it's a match made in heaven(or Ireland). Also starring is the wonderful Milo O'Shea as "The Matchmaker", who cleverly tries to bring these two together. The laughs are non stop and will leave you smiling for some time afterwards. It was directed by Mark Joffe and has a terrific atmospheric soundtrack as well. There are a couple editions of this DVD and the one I am reviewing has a picture of Janeane Garofalo with the beautiful hills of Ireland in the background and it is in the middle of a white building. Milo O'shea is standing on the ground, the title is is red with a clover in the name. I describe it in detail because the tech info here differs on some aspects. The studio of production is Universal (not USA). The film which was shot on location in glorious Ireland has been given a beautiful transfer and may be viewed in widescreen(2.35:1) or the standard format. Excellent surround sound in DD5.1 lets you hear every detail. There's not alot in the way of extras, but there are some cast bios and filmographies and Closed Captioning in English as well as subtitles in French and Spanish and some theatrical trailers. The film is rated R for some langauge. Great fun, a very enjoyable hour and 40 minutes..go for it...Laurie
Rating:
Summary: An overlooked flick
Review: The Matchmaker is a movie that snuck into theatres and then just as quickly onto DVD. It is really under rated! The sly, yet self deprecating humor of Janeane Garofalo is balanced well with the acidic tone of Dennis Leary, who plays her self absorbed boss. This is a romantic comedy for those of us who DON"T want to be Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman...... and for people who don't want just a romantic comedy. A thinking person's romance and sweet tale of finding what you want, no matter where it takes you.
Rating:
Summary: This is a delight!
Review: This movie is a delight, the actors and the story all work beautifully.
It is a romance, a comedy and some small bit of drama. Janeane Garafalo shines in this funny romantic romp through a small town in Ireland as she tries to find the distant relations to a Boston politician running for Senate. Unfortunatly she gets to Ireland right during a matchmaking festival and the laughs are real and wonderful. The portrayal of the Irish town and it's inhabitants is truly lovely as well. Showing the whimsy, earthiness and sense of humor of the Irish without insulting them or sterotyping them too much.
There is also some real sweetness to this film and it is worth watching over and over again.
Nothing heavy here folks, just a fun romantic comedy. If you like The Truth About Cats and Dogs, Kate and Leopold or any of the other silly, not deep, romance movies out there then you will love this one!!!
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