Five Blind Dates

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.

This romcom follows a predictable plotline, filled with all-too-familiar clichés and a few cringe-worthy scenes and lines. However, it's still surprisingly entertaining, even though the main leads lack compelling chemistry. Instead, the dynamic between the gay best friend and Lia is far more engaging and might have been a better focus, if not for the film's decision to play it safe.

Despite its flaws, the movie does attempt to add depth by exploring themes like family trauma and the pressure placed on firstborns. The acting is decent, but the film overall lacks the creative spark that could have made it truly memorable. Ultimately, it's a serviceable romcom-pleasant enough for a single viewing, but not something you'd likely revisit.

Truth be told, I wasn't harboring the greatest of expectations to this 2024 romantic comedy, when I stumbled upon it by random chance. I opted to sit down and watch it, on account of it being a movie that I hadn't already seen. And on the plus side, I might be positively surprised if I was missing out on a great cinematic experience here.

However, writers Shuang Hu and Nathan Ramos-Park, apparently opted to play it safe here with the script. Play it very, very safe. I mean, they cashed in on every trope available for a romantic comedy. And that ultimately made the movie end up with a bland and generic feel to it. Sure, "Five Blind Dates" was watchable, but it was insanely predictable, and you know the very outcome of the movie from the very beginning.

Of the entire cast ensemble, then I was only familiar with actor Tzi Ma. It should be noted, however, that the acting in the movie was good enough to help carry the movie, and somewhat lift it up and out of that slump it was settling into given the generic script. I am not familiar with leading actress Shuang Hu, whom also co-wrote the script, but she carried the movie quite well.

If you enjoy the run-of-the-mill romantic comedy, then you're in for quite a treat, should you opt to sit down and watch "Five Blind Dates". If you are looking for a bit more than the generic romantic comedy, then you might want to invest your 83 minutes elsewhere.

My rating of director Shawn Seet's 2024 romantic comedy "Five Blind Dates" lands on a five out of ten stars.

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.

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)