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.
