User reviews

Whenever I see the words "royal" or "prince" or anything related in the title of a Hallmark movie, I get a twinge of something, not quite disgust, but definitely negative. So I came into this expecting another cliché "royal" romance movie. Certainly if you go into this kind of movie expecting tripe, you are far more likely to find that. If that's the case, maybe you should watch something else. And yet somehow, it was fortunate that I didn't skip this one because I enjoyed this movie. Yes, I enjoyed it, but no, it won't rank in my top ten, or twenty, or ...

In this kind of movie, the thing I look for more than anything else is chemistry between the leads. And do they get enough screen time together to enjoy the chemistry. This movie was predictable, although there were some little things that were a bit out of the usual. It was smaltzy. It had a ton of clichés. But there was undeniable chemistry. It was subtle, but it was deep. There were also a couple of nice touches toward the end.

Bethany Joy Lenz was the right amount of optimist and insecure. Will Kemp was arrogant, but he also laughed a bit at himself, a kind of healthy contempt.

Like I said, if, going into it, you are determined that this type of movie is nothing but junk, don't watch it just to throw contempt at it. But if you do watch it, give it a chance to find something to like.

Wonderful cast and story. Some will say its been done - so what. Everything's been done. We need new fresh faces and movies like this for each generation. Many folks for whatever reason will never see the older films. We are all so busy and there are so many choices these days. If you love romance you'll love this one. Very well acted and yes its sappy but so what. I personally love sappy. Remember Shirley Temple. Who wants to see doom and gloom not me. We go to the movies to experience something, feel something, see something, escape reality for an hour or two. This movie delivers.

Ms Lenz is a delightful lead for this different twist on the made to death Royal movie. She has a fizz and life behind her smile that many other Hallmark leads lack. I love the supporting cast, especially the radiant Brittany Bristow. I also love the secondary love story.

Bethany Joy Lenz is a real joy! She added just the right amount of sparkle and fun to make this film enjoyable. The storyline is nothing new, but the dialogue was a just bit funny and believable. Just like icecream for dessert, this film is just made for a bit of sweetness & delight.

The settings are very nice ... Peles Castle, Sinaia/Romania and the train station and... lovely The end you know it is just a nice journey quite a surprise.

"Matchmaker" was better then most "royal" Hallmark Movies! It was an enjoyable escape from the horrors of today and I really liked the chemistry between Brittany Joy Lenz and Will Kemp. It was refreshing to see that the subplot had a little twist to it and I would watch it again!

To be honest, expectations were not massive for 'Royal Matchmaker'. Too many times royalty and Hallmark are not a good combination, a case of if you have seen one royal Hallmark film and see a few others after it's like watching the same thing on loop with only very slight variety. By the time this was made and released, the formula did feel tired and overused. Saw it anyway, as a Hallmark completest and also because Bethany Joy Lenz brightens up everything she's been in.

She certainly does here in 'Royal Matchmaker' and on the whole the film left me pleasantly surprised. It's not mind blowing and it was pretty much what was expected, except done better than most royal themed Hallmark films. This one didn't feel quite as tired and as far as the royal themed Hallmark films go 'Royal Matchmaker' to me is one of the better ones. A great film it may not be, but considering the type of film it is it could have been a lot worse too.

'Royal Matchmaker' isn't perfect by any stretch. There is nothing surprising here, the typical royal themed Hallmark film to pretty much the letter. Did find some motivations on the vague side and the ending rushed and somewhat abrupt.

Will Kemp's character was not a likeable one at first, with the writers over-writing his arrogance.

However, Kemp does play his role with confidence, without being cocky, and is suitably dashing. Even better, and the best thing about 'Royal Matchmaker', is Lenz, who is an absolute joy throughout which was not unexpected. Their chemistry is sweet and genuine, though awkward at first which was probably an intentional choice. Brittany Bristow also is like a ray of radiant sunshine and is amusing and endearing, absolutely agree about her being deserving of more lead roles. The rest of the cast are also solid and the characters generally while cliched are engaging, the only reservation being the male lead character's arrogance early on.

It looks very nice especially the locations, and the music is not drab or intrusive. The film is directed with assurance, though never anything that goes wow. The script is not too cheesy (though there are some admittedly in the early stages of the film) or sugary and it at least flows, and while the story is predictable and not perfectly paced it's light hearted and charming with nothing that can be seen as offensive.

All in all, worth a look if not an essential. 7/10.

I enjoy "royal" movies as much as other Hallmark movies even though they all look and sound the same, but I somehow couldn't connect with this one.

Joy Lenz is amazing. I've watched her in several of her projects and she never disappoints me. She was probably the reason why I barely liked this.

My problem with this movie was that I didn't feel the romance between the two leads. A huge disappointment for me. And the final move by the Prince? Big no for me. I hate when they rush the relationship between the leads.

I liked this movie. I like Bethany Joy Lenz in all her roles. However, I am a fan of Brittany Bristow. Why is she always the "friend?" She is a great actress who deserves a leading lady role.

Given the short length,genre and predictable nature of the story, you shouldn't be expecting much from the movie. It's a simple yet sweet story.

'Royal Romances' are perhaps my least favourite tpye of Hallmark film, but this is a rare thing indeed because the male lead (Will Kemp) outshines his female counterpart by miles.

With an almost Hugh Grant-esque delivery, Kemp manages to make his character beleivable, and some particularly cheesy lines work too.

This was a good film, I enjoyed it, and it was nice to see a more dominant male lead.

Enjoyed both the leads in this movie. The prince played by Will Kemp and his father the king were both very believable and charming. Kay Lenz was good but a bit casual and slumpy dressed for working for a king. A nicely done story of finding love and recognizing it.

While the storyline was a bit obvious and classic, the filming location was beautiful and the lead actress did a great job. While the chemistry between the two wasn't perfect, it was still a great movie. Peles Castle from Sinaia, Romania was so realistic and different. Overall a really enjoyable Hallmark movie!

Hallmark movie. Predictable and pleasant entertainment. Filmed in Romania. My wife and I enjoyed it, as light entertainment before bedtime.

The King of a fictitious small country in Europe, where everyone speaks with a distinct British accent, desperately wants his adult son, future King, to find a mate, to be the future Queen. The Valet learns about a New York based matchmaker with a great success rate. They ask her to travel to their small country to make the match, find someone for the reluctant Prince.

If one were to analyze the situation and the story in detail one could find many flaws. But that isn't the point if you decide to watch a Hallmark movie. You just go with it and let yourself be entertained. The main characters are delightful and the movie is entertaining.

At home on DVD from our public library.

The acting by the leads is pretty good. The outside of the castle is lovely. However, much of the plot takes place in "dreary rooms": the children's center (which looks like a nasty daycare--the kid's aren't even having fun); or the utility room where the prince secretly works on HVAC. The prince has a "meet and greet" with three of the most eligible candidates, but we do not even get to see the "group date," rather the scene is set up, then cuts to commercial, and when the movie returns, it's the two leads talking about how the date went. Lame!

I loved it! These two Joy Lenz and Will Kemp, I thought had great chemistry together. Great acting.

Will Kemp as Prince Sebastian and Bethany Joy Lenz as Kate Gleason are delightful and have a lot of chemistry, They so talented and play their parts magnificently.

The plot - it's a old, much used plot, as old as Cinderella,, the prince must find a wife. Hallmark, it is so great that you did not use the cliche of the woman of noble birth playing dirty tricks to get the prince to marry her. It is such a sweet love story. That is a plot line that I always dred when I watch royal stories.

My advice - watch this movie it is sure to delight.

I feel like every Hallmark movie lately has been awful. Every single time I attempt to watch one there's nothing there. I just don't feel the same vibe that the older Hallmark movies have. Bethany Joy Lenz is adorable in every role she plays. She never disappoints. But the prince. He was the worst actor in the whole movie. Also, I'm here for some romance and what did I get? None. They had no connection and bored me to death. Which is why I skipped through the rest of it and found that nothing happened except her crying over a guy with no emotion. Skip this and watch some older Hallmark movies.

As a devoted Hallmark movie viewer, I looked forward to this film with my usual optimism and delight. Who doesn't love a happy ending? This story was a notch more intelligent than some of the fluffier "working girl meets prince, they fall in love, happy ending" scenarios. The heroine is a hard-working, intelligent, striving young woman with a business of her own, goals to meet, and a serious approach to achieving them..There are none of the giggles, eyelash-fluttering, cliche behaviors in this determined young woman.

Her match, the prince of a fictional European country, is also a notch above the cliches used in other Hallmark movies..He is intelligent, serious, mature, and , of course, unhappy.. That these two will eventually discover they are suited for one another goes without saying..and the story line is handled with a good script and excellent acting...However, here are this viewers small objections to a an most-perfect movie. Joy Lenz is an accomplished actress..Good for her, dropping her first name (Bethany) and making herself less 'cute' and more mature with 2 short names. She is well-known to Hallmark movie viewers...and always rewards us with a serious performance. However, in this film, it seems to this viewer that her physical appearance could have e been more seriously addressed. Her wardrobe was often in appropriate for the situation..lots of fluffy, bright-colored outfits, when a more businesslike demeanor should have been the goal.. Her hairdos were also messy, lots of stray, unkept looks..with one very mature, and quite appropriate hairdo being 'spoiled' by having a long tendril hanging down one side of her face. Her assistant had a much more appropriate wardrobe and hair styling.. The male leads were excellent. Will Kemp has elegant physical bearing..He is a trained ballet dancer and it is evident in the way he carries himelf. Simon Dutton, as the King is always reliably dignified and elegant. Although in a few scenes, his jacket and coat seem to be a bit tight and ill-fitting.

This is a delightful film, good emotions, serious characters, and a highly-recommended pleasure.

A successful matchmaker, Kate (Bethany Joy Lenz) is hired by a king to find his son, Prince Sebastian (Will Kemp) a suitable wife in time for a national celebration. At first, the task is difficult because of the Prince's stubbornness to cooperate; and Kate's opposing determination to find a suitable wife for him for the sake of her reputation and her business.

At first the two different personalities make the premise of the storyline intriguing. However, the plot drags and becomes drawn out and just boring and you just know where things are headed. The ending is just way too predictable, the only thing it lacks is Kate singing, "Someday My Prince Will Come".....HO HUM!

The performances of the main actors seem wooden and scripted. A better option for this storyline would be to watch Disney's original version of Cinderella!

Bethany is my favorite female Hallmark actress. She is a natural and pleasure to watch.