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The Matchmaker

© Terri Clark

Janeane Garofalo,David O'Hara
Gramercy Pictures
1997
Rated: R
Now on video and DVD

The most successful matchmaker in Ireland is about to hit a brick wall.

Senator John McGlory is in a tense fight for reelection. To ensure his win he sends his assistant Marcy Tizard (Garofalo) to Ireland to trace his family roots. Marcy arrives in Baile Na Gra amid the popular Matchmaking Festival making it difficult to find a vacant room, let alone help in researching the Senator's Irish heritage. Despite the difficulty, Marcy persists in her queries drawing attention from the local Matchmaker and the village's single men, most notably Sean Kelly (O'Hara), a recently separated writer who refuses to be deterred from his pursuit, despite her acerbic wit and romantic reluctance. Outwitted and outnumbered, Marcy is about to learn that "in matchmaking, as in life, the unexpected is a dangerous foe."

Sound good? I thought so too, but The Matchmaker disappointed me. Not only was the movie full of Irish stereotypes, the humor and romance were weak. I consider Janeane a gifted comedic actress. Unfortunately this script did not showcase her talent. Her trademark, razor-sharp, self-deprecating humor seemed watered down. The only thing to shine in the film was her magnificent smile. As for the chemistry between her and David O'Hara...call it non-existent. I sensed more sizzle between him and his ex, Moira. The best performance came from the matchmaker himself, Dermot O'Brien. This chap exuded charm and devilment with his mischievous, twinkling eyes and bushy black brows. Unfortunately neither he nor Denis Leary--doing what he does best, being an ass--could save this film. I give The Matchmaker a disheartened sigh and two hearts.

CAST
Janeane Garofalo as Marcy Tizard
David O'Hara (I) as Sean Kelly
Milo O'Shea as Dermot O'Brien
Jay O. Sanders as Senator John McGlory
Rosaleen Linehan as Millie O'Dowd
Paul Hickey (I) as Declan Kelly
Maria Doyle Kennedy as Sarah Kelly
Saffron Burrow as Moira Kennedy Kelly
Denis Leary as Nick
Olivia Caffrey as Annie

Best lines:
"Is being an idiot like being high all the time?"
"No, it's like being constantly right." Marcy and Sean.

"I long to fax someone." Marcy

Sarah: You should come to the dance, Marcy, come and have a bit o' crack.
Marcy: Crack?!
Sarah: Yah, it's brilliant crack.
Marcy: By crack I'm assuming that you don't mean incredibly hard drugs.
Sarah: Oh no! It just means havin' a laugh, like havin' a bit o' fun!

"He's like gum in your hair. Comes out eventually." Sean's ex to Marcy.

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