The Matchmaker

R

Released Oct 3, 1997

1 hr. 36 min.

Comedy

List

50%

32 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Fearing that Sen. John McGlory (Jay O. Sanders) is in danger of losing the upcoming election, his assistant, Marcy Tizard (Janeane Garofalo), travels to Ireland to search for McGlory's relatives in the hope that a show of the senator's Celtic roots will boost his clout with Irish-Americans. But, as luck would have it, when Marcy arrives in the Irish town of Ballinagra, the residents are beginning matchmaking season. Marcy soon becomes a popular target for the men and a matchmaker (Milo O'Shea).

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Tess H

Loved this! Love David O'Hara! He's smart funny and adorable. As my Grandmother used to say "he can put his slippers under my bed any day!" 😝 Fun and smart. I had no problem with the whole movie! Well done.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Jeanine Garafalo, Denis Leary, and Jay O' Sanders Marcy while working on a campaign for McGlory during an election is selected to go to Ireland She's not a fan but to her boss it's good PR to showcase his Celtic roots It might get him votes particularly with the Irish-Americans Marcy arrives in Ballinagra with small living quarters and it just so happens to be matchmaking season Soon she's the object of affection by many men but only one might be the potential she never expected to fall for Garafalo is a treat to watch and the Irish countryside is lovely to behold This movie moves by at a very fast pace too It has a cute story, engaging characters, and breathtaking scenery Garafalo is engaging all the way through And like anyone we can end up being a matchmaker when we least expect it

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/03/23

Full Review

Steve D

The script didn't work at all for me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

jon c

Jeanine Garafalo, Denis Leary, and Jay O' Sanders Marcy while working on a campaign for McGlory during an election is selected to go to Ireland She's not a fan but to her boss it's good PR to showcase his Celtic roots It might get him votes particularly with the Irish-Americans Marcy arrives in Ballinagra with small living quarters and it just so happens to be matchmaking season Soon she's the object of affection by many men but only one might be the potential she never expected to fall for Garafalo is a treat to watch and the Irish countryside is lovely to behold This movie moves by at a very fast pace too It has a cute story, engaging characters, and breathtaking scenery Garafalo is engaging all the way through And like anyone we can end up being a matchmaker when we least expect it

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Janeane Garofalo had had some success outside of stand-up by starring in The Truth About Cats and Dogs — a movie that she dislikes, calling it anti-feminist — and turned down the Gail Weathers role in Scream to appear in this movie, her first and only lead role. She plays Marcy Tizard, who has been sent to Ireland by her boss Nick (Denis Leary) to find a relative that can help the Irish-American vote for Boston Senator John McGlory (Jay O. Sanders). Arriving in Ballinagra in time for the annual matchmaking festival, she's suddenly the object of competition between two rival professional matchmakers, Dermot (Milo O'Shea) and Millie (Rosaleen Linehan) and gains the attention of bartender Sean (David O'Hara). Romantic third act hijinks ensue, as they always do, but things work out. This was directed by Australian director Mark Joffe, who made sure it was authentic by working with Father Ted writer Graham Linehan, who wrote the script with Karen Janszen and Louis Nowra. When asked, Garofolo said this was one of the few movies that she was in that she liked.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of my favorite movies ever. Such a cute, funny, heart-warming story. I can't imagine why it isn't streaming anywhere. Good thing I own it on DVD. Streaming platforms are missing out here. Please give it the revival it deserves.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Mark Joffe

Director

Janeane Garofalo

Marcy Tizard

David O'Hara

Sean Kelly

Milo O'Shea

Dermot O'Brien

Jay O. Sanders

Senator John McGlory

Rosaleen Linehan

Millie O'Dowd

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Paul Tatara

CNN.com

It simply isn't all that funny.

Jan 23, 2019

Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

[Garofalo] glows when she smiles - that she gets cast in precariously winsome stuff like this fish-out-of-water romantic comedy set in a wee, twee Irish town.

Rated: C

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Todd McCarthy

Variety

[A]n innocuous hands-across-the-Atlantic brew that comes out flat from the spigot.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Sandra Contreras

TV Guide

It's all very well-intentioned, but Garofalo mostly looks pained and uncomfortable as various touristy Irish village stereotypes unfold around her.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 23, 2019

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Billed as 'a romantic comedy for people who hate romantic comedies,' there's little here in this unremarkable film that's special enough to alter anyone's opinion.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 12, 2007

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Sep 24, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Fearing that Sen. John McGlory (Jay O. Sanders) is in danger of losing the upcoming election, his assistant, Marcy Tizard (Janeane Garofalo), travels to Ireland to search for McGlory's relatives in the hope that a show of the senator's Celtic roots will boost his clout with Irish-Americans. But, as luck would have it, when Marcy arrives in the Irish town of Ballinagra, the residents are beginning matchmaking season. Marcy soon becomes a popular target for the men and a matchmaker (Milo O'Shea).

Director: Mark Joffe
Executive Producer: Lyn Goleby
Screenwriter: Greg Dinner, Karen Janszen, Louis Nowra, Graham Linehan
Distributor: Polygram, Gramercy Pictures
Production Co: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 1997, Original
Release Date (DVD): Apr 1, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.4M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital