Cinco citas a ciegas

They could have gone with that title I assume, but I'll say it for them this time: no pun intended. Because none of the dates involve anyone who is blind you see? This also is not a pun - but hopefully fun. Which is something the movie is supposed to be. And it does achieve that from time to time. The actors do try their best to get you there (laugh, chuckle and all that) ... the script has some funny ideas too.

That all said the movie is quite light and especially the lead actress is carrying it all the way. If you are into romantic comedies, I reckon this is something you might find interesting - knock yourself out (cliches included)

Romantic Comedy ' ' Five Blind Dates ' ' is a light, funny movie, that, alas, doesn't deliver.

The movie has its moments, with the tea shop theme and the relationship between the main character and her grandmother being sweet and cute.

However, the rest of the story felt flat and underdeveloped. Especially when it came to the family drama, it was like they knew something that the audience didn't and we were trying to figure it out, while they were sharing an inside joke.

The idea of the movie, moreover, was itneresting though predictable. And, it was nice that they had it set in Australia.

Finally, the performances were decent, the best friend was the best one in the cast!

So, overall, three out of ten.

Five blind dates is a perfect TV film. If you love a cheesy hallmark type of style film you'll enjoy this.

Don't expect it to be winning any oscars any time soon, but if you are like me and go into a film just wanting to watch something that you know how it'll end this is the film for you.

I don't know much about Chinese culture so not sure if any of that is completely off the mark but enjoyed the cute little bits about tea Not sure why people have slated it so much, unless they expected something with the title 'five blind dates' to be something else?

Anyway if you need something to watch on a staurday morning or just a general Sunday vibe give it a go.

Five Blind Dates deserves credit for putting a Chinese-Australian woman at the center of a mainstream rom-com - a rarity in Aussie cinema. The cast, especially Shuang Hu and Tzi Ma, deliver warmth and authenticity. Visually, it celebrates culture without exoticizing it, and that alone makes it a step forward.

But strip away the cultural wrapper, and what's left is a very average romantic comedy. The blind dates are formulaic, the emotional arcs predictable, and the script plays it safe. There's little tension, little spark - just a cheerful glide through the genre checklist. You'll smile, but you won't remember it next week.

It's a win for representation, no doubt. But as a film, it needed sharper writing and bolder storytelling. It had the chance to redefine the Aussie rom-com - instead, it politely sits in the middle of the road.

Loving the shift in supporting films like this and even better coming from Australia but there needs to be a better way of telling these stories. The set up whilst a little hokey is fine since it is a rom-com and they are not known for innovation. It's the script is rife with cliches, stereotypes, illogical ideas, stupidity and cartoonish banality. Sydney does look beautiful, it's well shot but the director struggles to elevate above the silliness.

Acting ranges from solid (Yosan An, Tzi Ma,Renee Lim) to odd (Desmond Chiang) to outright awful - lead Shuang Hu is just terrible. The character is also very unlikable - why anyone would want to date her is bizarre.

Again let's support these diverse films but have competent writers and directors handling the material.