Whenever I see a movie about matchmaking and a lead character named Emma, my mind immediately thinks it's some Jane Austen adaptation. (I actually just assumed and got confirmation when I came to the page to review it). It is an extremely loose adaptation, but all you need to know is this movie has the worst ending and you should just avoid it.
Not only does Emma force a friendship with Hope, she sets her up on an awkward date, tries to force a second date completely oblivious that the date is in love with her (Emma), the date then humiliates Hope...Gray and Hope become friends and even date, and once Emma's relationship with Barry doesn't pan out, and she sees Gray not actively pining for her, so now she wants him, barely hides it, and Hope gets shafted again! What a joke. Hope should stay away from this entire group!
I ended up FF just to see if I was right about Emma and Gray, because I could see it coming a mile away. When I saw Gray and Hope getting closer, I was gaining respect for the movie perhaps going the non-typical tropey route. But alas, that was premature. Nobody was encouraging Gray to pursue a relationship with someone who was actually interested and who paid attention to him. Emma was such a self-centered character and I don't think I've ever seen any version of "Emma" that was this bland and this unlikeable. Everything that happens affects her in some way because that's how she sees it. Even convos other characters have that didn't start out about her end up being about her. She literally does not care that she wrecked Hope's chances of love TWICE. Emma literally got everything she wanted in this movie even though she was like a wrecking ball for Hope, Gray (for a while), and even Zane! I mean, was Barry "using" her for acting tips supposed to be her comeuppance for everything else? Please!
The acting was so bland and uninspiring. Being a lower budget movie does not mean quality acting can't be found. Literally no inflection in voices, no sense of these characters being relatable. Nothing. I saw the Barry actor in a Lifetime "thriller," and he was so much better there. I think I recognize a few of the others also. Gray was like a Tubi version of Rob Mayes.
I'm not a movie snob, which is why I watch Tubi and gave this movie a chance. I am a squish at heart, so I am a sucker for a romcom. I love Pretty Woman but I also LOVE My Best Friend's Wedding (that movie had the exact right ending). I'm in my 30s and don't see that changing. But this plot did not follow at all and again, even if the budget is lower, that's no excuse. Even B movies from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, even the 90s had sensible scripts. Just not big budgets and stars. And Emma was just not the best lead. Such a wrecking ball.
Three stars bc I finished it, but I low key resent myself for watching it. Honestly, just watch Clueless for an amazing version of Emma with a relatable, unselfish, and well-acted character who deserved the happy ending. (Also Cher didn't wreck Ty's life over Josh).
0 out of 0 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink