Playing Cupid (2021 TV Movie) User Reviews

perfect for Hallmark

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 27 June 2021]

Kerri Fox (Laura Vandervoort) assigns her class a project to start their own businesses. She's concerned about her student Clara Martinez and about her inattentive boyfriend. She breaks up with the boyfriend and is comforted by restaurant owner David Martinez (Nicholas Gonzalez). Clara decides to be a matchmaker for her school project.

It's Hallmark. The romance is obvious right from the start. The movie lays out its premise and it's a train on its straight forward tracks. It doesn't get off those tracks. There are no other tracks. The plot is inevitable which makes it perfect for Hallmark. The two leads look amazing and they're actually good. They have a good early safe conflict to heat up their chemistry. The kid is fine. It is perfect... for Hallmark.

Good enough

[Jackbv123 · 7/10 · 16 February 2021]

I think the story is fairly fresh, although I suppose you could generalize it as kid brings parent and teacher together. I especially liked the last 10 minutes or so beginning with the dance.

I'm a fan of Laura Vandervoort for various TV series. She did a Lifetime Christmas rom/com and I hope she does more for Hallmark. She and Nicholas Gonzalez had chemistry. The obligatory antagonism at the beginning had playful moments and the playfulness carried into the relationship. Most of the supporting acting was decent. This appears to be Mia Quaranta de la Rosa's debit, at least as far as this web site tracks appearances, and hope she can become a regular too.

Lovely watch!

[cbisbee-73995 · 7/10 · 23 February 2021]

Sweet story and good characters acted with emotion. Nice to see a mix of cultures via a teacher and restaurateur meeting by the young 'cupid'. A rare portrayal of Seattle weather that isn't pouring rain (it rarely does) and the grayness of the sky during the time of the year the movie is set in. If you are looking to get away for 1 1/2 hours this would be a good place to start.

Emma has nothing to do with it, but that's OK

[rebekahrox · 7/10 · 16 February 2021]

Well this had nothing to do with Emma as advertised in the promos, but it wasn't bad. There was enough antagonism between the two leads to get it off to an intriguing start. The father really had some serious control issues in the beginning but he wasn't over the top for too long. He made a very attractive leading man. The appearance of the ex-wife near the end threw an interesting wrench into the romance which had been preceding pretty much by rote up to then. The romance between the two youngsters was cute. Good acting on the part of the teens.

Playing cuteness

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 27 January 2022]

2021 so far has been a mixed bag for Hallmark, which is true for their previous years too and their output in general. Considering the difficult circumstances, the standard could have been a lot worse. While there are some good winning efforts, such as 'A New Year's Resolution', there are also some major duds such as 'Beverly Hills Wedding'. The premise didn't sound anything exceptional, but it did sound sweet and the two leads have been watchable in other things.

Both are certainly more than watchable here in 'Playing Cupid' and it is a cute, while not being too cute, film. Not mind-blowingly amazing and far from perfect, but not the cheesy, overly sweet film it could easily have been if executed wrong and in the top middle 2021 Hallmark films. So much better than the previous Love Ever After outing from Hallmark 'Beverly Hills Wedding', as at least 'Playing Cupid' is a good film. That is of course in my hopefully respectful view.

'Playing Cupid' isn't perfect. It does feel a bit contrived towards the end, like the out of the blue return of the ex-wife, and ends too neatly, which is not uncommon for Hallmark actually.

David was also not easy to warm to straightaway, a bit uptight and abrasive to begin with. A bit of a slow starter perhaps as well.

However, both Laura Vandervoort and Nicholas Gonzalez are immensely engaging leads with bags of charm and feeling. Their chemistry is plentiful and genuine and actually develops at a rate that is not too fast or too aimlessly. The supporting cast are all strong, especially the spirited and heartfelt portrayal of the daughter. The chemistry doesn't ever feel disconnected and the characters don't come over as fake stereotypes and instead like real people worth caring for once one warms to them.

Once 'Playing Cupid' finds momentum, it's good natured, light-hearted and very charming, the cuteness not becoming too much and the playfulness not being forced. The script doesn't feel too corny or affected. The production values are slick enough and not cheap looking and the music doesn't intrude or overbear. The direction is not flashy, nor is it static.

In summary, not great but nice. 7/10.

Wait, he's that guy?

[Racingphan2 · 7/10 · 15 February 2021]

My wife and I had this movie on the background tonight when she said that she thought that the lead actor was the guy from The Good Doctor. I looked it up, and sure enough, it was Dr. Melendez! It's too bad that his career is on a downward slide, but he's better than the average Hallmark movie male. The female lead, Laura Vandervoort, is very attractive and doesn't have the irritating vocal fry that many of the females in these movies suffer from.

Mismatched

[msvigil · 6/10 · 16 February 2021]

The characters did not seem to integrate very well. Found myself checking how much longer.

Beginning a Little Stereotyped but picked up

[skpn123 · 8/10 · 7 March 2021]

The power and influence of a teacher in children's lives, first love, starting over, trust, perseverance, letting go and so many worthy themes - all there. And it took me a while to warm up to the cast - but found them all all charming and engaging as the movie progressed. An enjoyable and quite unique family movie.

Sloppy construction

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 10 March 2023]

7.4 stars.

"Playing Cupid" has the potential to be a fantastic film, even if the story is unoriginal. Unfortunately it lacks in more areas than it excels. The few positive aspects are wonderfully presented, the countless negative aspects are abysmal and clumsy. First of all Vandervoort's character is weird, awkward, and cold as ice. I don't understand why she was so odd in her attempts to portray an emotionally wounded middle school teacher who truly cares for her students. Her presentation came off as strange and forced, it's hard to describe. Gonzalez did a wonderful job as the lead male and he is truly the saving grace of this movie. His passion pervades every scene and he unquestionably steals the show. His daughter is a great up-and-comer, and does not seem amateurish at all.

"Playing Cupid' contains a few brilliant romantic moments, but they were quickly buried in the rubble of what I can only describe as a torturous and distorted soundtrack. These factors completely detracted from the film experience. Not to mention the storyline is broken in several places, lacking pace and flow, and several key elements were simply misplaced, or absent altogether.

I am wondering what happened in the editing room, because there is no continuity, just fragments of a potentially enticing drama. As a whole, this film is entertaining, but reeks of mediocrity.

Looking for a concrete sign, a reason to stay.

[cgvsluis · 5/10 · 14 June 2021]

Nicholas Gonzales and Laura Vandervoort are beautiful together, a seriously attractive couple.

Single newly divorced dad and restaurant owner, David Martinez is very involved in his daughter Clara's life...particularly her education. He meets his daughter's school teacher Miss Fox on a particularly bad night for her. As restaurant owner of Cantina Corazon, he is witness to her waiting for and breaking up with her current love interest. He is very kind and tries to ease the unpleasant evening as much as possible. Then they meet again at her school where he as the conservative dad who does not appreciate the teacher supporting his daughter's outlandish ideas for a big project that will count for 40% of her grade.

David's daughter comes up with an idea to start a matchmaking service. She starts with her classmates to help them find a dance partner for the school's Valentine's Day dance, but grows it into a singles event for adults at her family's restaurant. Clara really goes all out and keeps some of her grandmother's traditions with a mariachi band and heart shaped tortillas.

David and Miss Fox trade off help, her with making candy grams for the PTA which he is president of and him with volunteering to be a mentor in her class for the big project. It is through this that the two grow closer together and get to know one another.

This was not your boilerplate Hallmark romantic comedy, it was a step above and worth seeing.

Now for a couple of small complaints...being a born and raised Seattle native, it kills me to see shows set in "Seattle" that are so clearly not. Why the charade? Just say it is in Langley or Vancouver, B. C. You are not fooling anyone...at least not anyone from the northwest. One stock image of Seattle does not create the ambiance of Seattle. Also at a big school awards program, it should have had images from the kids actual project on the big screen behind the podium...if not examples on stage.

"I'm Cupid Clara dad. I know who is right for each other and who is not."-Clara

"I picked that chair."-David.

Liked it

[rhonnie-43139 · 8/10 · 7 March 2021]

I thought this movie would be a huge bore. I put off watching it until one day there was nothing else to watch.

So I watched it and surprisingly I liked it. The story is cute. I liked the characters. It was culturally interesting as well.

So if you have nothing better to do and it's on, watch it. You may be surprised like I was.

Disappointed

[lrt-33378 · 4/10 · 7 March 2021]

I avoid this movie whenever I see it is on. I feel no chemistry between the 2 leading characters. Also, felt the acting was exceptionally bad. The ending made me cringe especially since in the scene just before, the ex wife actually was part of the gift given to the teacher.

Better than most

[rstoj-83817 · 8/10 · 14 February 2021]

This one adds elements of real world situations that is much appreciated. Good lead actors. A step above the usual formula, for sure.

so so

[taylornan0909 · 4/10 · 10 March 2021]

I found myself multi-tasking, this movie just didn't hold my interest. No chemistry between the leads, just basically boring.

Cuter than Expected

[FridayGal · 8/10 · 3 March 2021]

Having the daughter play matchmaker has been done before, but under the guise of a business project was different. Pairing up her classmates, other teachers, and even singles in their community at a special Valentine & Friendship dinner broadened her business plan. It wasn't exactly "Emma," but did anyone notice the name of the middle school was Austen? Clever!

Not this one

[Bill-412 · 2/10 · 23 February 2022]

An unengaging female lead, and another affirmative action cast. Looks like a good budget though, someone must be watching. Hallmark's reruns are a better bet than the new ones.

Cupid hit the mark

[richterkaren · 10/10 · 20 March 2021]

I really loved this movie. It was one of the better movies by hallmark in a while. I think Nicholas is a great actor, I look forward in seeing him in more movies, please!!!! I thought he did a great acting job in behind enemy lines II. I also loved him in Christmas on the range with Erin and am waiting for a sequel. I think Laura vandervoort is a great actress, really enjoyed her in this and would like to see her more often, her acting is smooth, believable and her shining personality shines through. Would like to see a sequel to this also. There was great chemistry between the two in this movie. Loved it!!!!

Just an "okay movie"

[MIssM19 · 5/10 · 23 May 2023]

Kerri is a middle school teacher who has a boyfriend who doesn't deserve her, and once she breaks up that relationship she starts hanging out with David, Clara's (one of her students) father.

At the same time, Clara is assigned a marketing project worth 40% of her grade: and because she matched up a couple, she starts a matchmaking service.

Look, is it cute? Yes. Is it realistic? Maybe. I don't know. I'm not a teacher. But I can appreciate the innovative premise. It says it's based on Jane Austen's Emma which I see but at the same time I don't. The only thing in common is the matchmaking. I feel it's disrespectful to the book.

There was decent chemistry between the actors but I did think the beginning was quite slow. It may be around the minute 35 o 40 that they start talking like they are friends. I can also appreciate the pre-ending problem. That was realistic. Some things are not meant to be or it's not the right time and place. And that's okay. So is this movie.

Playing cupid

[gingrichzach · 10/10 · 14 February 2021]

I thought it was a pretty good movie acting was decent and nice clean family friendly love story.

Loved it!

[caliemcphee · 9/10 · 14 February 2021]

A step above the usual Hallmark, with well delivered quips, atmosphere and story. Always like Laura Vandervoort and those missing Nicholas Gonzalez since his character's unfortunate demise on The Good Doctor will happily swoon over him again. The supporting cast is very good too.

Emma with a Latino flavor

[lotemac · 9/10 · 15 February 2021]

Loved this hallmark movie with a Latina Emma. Would love to see more Hallmark movies with Mexican culture intertwined in the story lines.

Kerri Fox (Laura Vandervoort)

[aab874 · 10/10 · 7 March 2021]

Favorite scene with

Kerri Fox (Laura Vandervoort) - Singing and dancing to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" with David. BTW, I got very teary-eyed at the end when she got her new chair and laptop.

Nicholas Gonzalez

[ctmohr · 8/10 · 23 February 2022]

Really, really, really like this guy. I think he's a great actor. I thoroughly enjoyed him in The Good Doctor. I wish he wasn't killed off !

I liked this movie.

I wasn't crazy about the female lead.

Just very sad and never smiled.

Hallmark movie, bright young girl fixes up her dad with her teacher.

[TxMike · 24 October 2022]

This story is set in Seattle, with lots of establishing shots, but is filmed in Canada. My wife and I enjoyed it streaming on Amazon Prime.

It features a single dad with a teen daughter. He is split from her mom who moved to Dallas but their daughter lives with him. He is from a long line of Mexican cooks and owns and runs a Mexican restaurant, all the recipes are from Vera Cruz and the region and the food is very popular in Seattle.

It also features a single teacher who, coincidentally, is the daughter's teacher. There is a yearly contest, ABC, where students learn about business by planning an enterprise and running it. Profits will be donated to the school for equipment and the sort. The daughter conceives of one which involves match-making.

This Hallmark movie is clean and plays pretty much like most other Hallmark movies. We enjoyed it for light entertainment.