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The Matchmaker

R Released Oct 3, 1997 1h 36m Comedy List
48% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
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).

Critics Reviews

View All (33) Critics Reviews
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 Todd James Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Alberta) Garofalo continues to be an appealing leading lady whose presence illuminates even pale films. Rated: 2/5 Aug 6, 2024 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (248) audience reviews
Kelsey M This is one of my favorite movies, I've watched it so many times. Garafalo has great comedic timing, and I loved seeing non-traditional actors (aka not prefect looking) in a romcom. The other characters are just as entertaining, and I enjoy the Irish humor and culture sprinkled in. Is it the most intelligent movie? No. Is it enjoyable to watch thanks to the humor and great set of characters who feel real? Yes, very much so. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/08/24 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
The Matchmaker

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Luc Roeg
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
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital