blanche-2
Harlequin romance movies can be a fun escape, and "This Matter of Marriage" is no exception. From 1998, it stars Leslie Hope, Sherry Miller, Michael Nouri, and Rick Peters. Made in Canada.Hope plays Hallie Mitchell, a 32-year-old with her own architectural design business which she runs with a partner, Donnalee (Sherry Miller, who looks like a blond Mary Tyler Moore). Donnalee wants to get married and have a family and goes the cyberdating route, probably pretty new in 1998, if I recall, and she encourages the independent, strong Hallie to try it.For someone whom we hear so much about not having any action, Hallie has a lot of men around her. There's her neighbor (Rick Peters), unhappily separated from his wife, who is trying to solve a water pressure problem in the building and cope with an unhappy young daughter. There's her cyberdate. There's her old classmate from high school. In her professional life, she's trying to keep the business afloat while she pulls out all the stops to get a big contract.This is a nice film, and young women will relate to the problems of a career, meeting crazies, being afraid of hurt, and a little bit of defensiveness.There's not too much else to say about it. The acting is fine. Pleasant watching.
vachona007
Above-average chick flick.Please note: the facts in the previous summary had the main female characters mixed up.Hallie (Leslie Hope) is the main female lead, with Donnalee (Sherry Miller) being the first one who tries video dating, which then spurs Hallie on to give it a try, but with less success.Also, Hallie is the one who lives next door to the guy with the daughter, who is going through his own personal crisis.The acting was pretty good, with the two ladies being the strongest. And, for the most part, there was a good deal of character development -- this was not the standard piece of fluff.
tardusty
I used to be a SUPER ADDICTED romance novel reader back when I was 12 years old. (I'm 26 now) Naturally, I've became cynical through the years so I don't really read romance novels anymore. HOWEVER, a week ago I found out that about this Harlequin romance novels turned into TV movies. I was like WHAAAATT???? Where there hell was I and why didn't I find out about this sooner?! Of course I just had to watch ^_^ I guess I still love my memories of Harlequin romance novels! So what's my review (POSSIBLE SPOILERS) The pacing of the movie was good. There were no boring parts. As I was watching it, I was trying to imagine if I was actually reading the book - you know when the main characters are saying their lines, etc. The female heroine, Hallie, is very pretty. The hero who Hallie ends up with, Steve I think is his name, is cute in an outdoorsy rugged kinda way. All the actors were very good and acted well. Now as for the story, I didn't really like the story. I thought the hero, Steve, was pretty ordinary. I don't understand why Hallie didn't end up with her college crush and I agree with the other reviewer. Too many divorces. Ack! In my opinion, how they are able to go from one relationship to the other with a recent divorce is sorta ?? But overall, I'm glad I watched this movie. I don't know how similar the book and the movie is but if it is similar then obviously I just don't like the story and I probably wouldn't have bought the book. Now I plan to watch other Harlequin Romance turned to TV. I'm pretty excited because I liked the plot of Diamond Girl (which I bought) and I'm getting soon hopefully. I also got So hard to forget. As soon as I watch those two, I'll write a review.
Amy Adler
Donnalee (Sherry Miller) is an architect with a history of romantic disappointment. Her business partner, Hallie (Leslie Hope) is in the same predicament. When Hallie finds success through a video dating company, Donnalee feels the urge to give it a try as well. Meanwhile, the ladies land a big project for their business and Donnalee has a nice-looking but agitating man and his grumpy daughter move in next door. What does the future hold for these gals, professionally and romantically?Donnalee and Hallie are job smart and love dummies. Miller and Hope are lovely to look at and portray the frustration of the single woman over 30 very, very well. But, if only they would use their brains! The script is just a tad beyond mediocrity and the costumes or art direction are not noteworthy, either. Yet, the film is still worth watching for those who love romance movies beyond all others. Hold a showing at a gathering of thirty-something women soon, if you can locate a copy.
AD
