| A Perfect Pairing | |
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 Official release poster | |
| Directed by | Stuart McDonald |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Ben Nott |
| Music by | Nerida Tyson-Chew |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
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Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A Perfect Pairing is a 2022 American romantic comedy film. The film follows the story of Lola, an LA-based wine executive. Stuart McDonald directs the film and Victoria Justice stars as Lola while Adam Demos appears as Max. The film was released on May 19, 2022, on Netflix. The film is described as a fun watch made for lovers of wine and girlboss success stories.[1]
Plot
[edit]LA-based wine executive Lola feels underappreciated by her boss Calder at Mythos, who pays no attention to her ideas. A chef, knowing of her frustration, introduces her to a little-known wine of an Australian company which has yet to go international.
Lola secretly tells her workmate Audra about the Vaughn winery, who then pitches them to their boss behind Lola's back. So, she starts up her own company and flies to Australia to secure a potential client.
Initially signing up for their AirBNB accommodation, Lola immediately tries to pitch Hazel, who quickly turns her down. Discovering they are short a hired hand, she volunteers to work on the client's sheep farm under station boss Max to prove her moxie.
Thrown into the manual labor, Lola's workmates haze her, and she oversteps with excessively long showers and blowing the circuit breaker. She learns to mend fences, to not mix differently tagged sheep, to load a manure spreader but after five days she has given up.
Max's truck breaks down on the way into town to catch a flight. So, on returning to the farm, Max tells Lola she shouldn't give up. As she has the night to mull it over, she is inspired by a book about the farm's matriarch. Lola fixes the hot water heater, and gradually earns the trust of her fellow hired hands.
Lola finally participates in the 'hands' evening gathering, showing she has a good singing voice. After a day, she finally helps with shearing, at night she invited into the family's pool by Max. Later, over a game of pool, he and Hazel discuss Lola's proposal to export with her company, revealing that Max is Hazel's brother.
Lola and Max visit the Vaughn vineyard and then camp overnight. After a tour and fence-mending together, that night they finally show their feelings to one another. The next morning, Max reveals the secret that he is a Vaughn, his sister's silent partner, upsetting Lola. Feeling betrayed, she returns to the sheep farm, discovers her former boss and Audra negotiating with Hazel to sign a contract to import Vaughn wines to the US. Calder tries to lure her back, but she is unwavering.
Months later, Lola is back in California, working with Audra again with her tiny wine distribution company. Max appears at Lola's wine expo stand, declares his feelings and that his winery has dropped Calder's company for hers and that he wants to be with her. They reconcile and return to Australia to celebrate Station Hand Sam's wedding.
Cast
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- Victoria Justice as Lola Alvarez, an LA-based wine executive
- Adam Demos as Max Vaughn, the boss cocky of the station who hides his identity
- Luca Asta Sardelis as Breeze
- Craig Horner as Calder, Lola's boss
- Antonio Alvarez as Carlos Alvarez, father of Lola
- Lucy Durack as Audra, Lola's coworker
- Emily Havea as Sam
- Natalie Abbott as Kylie
- Jayden Popik as Henry
- Samantha Tolj as Hazel Vaughn[2] (credited as Samantha Cain)
Production
[edit]The film was shot in Queensland, Australia and was produced by Hoodlum Entertainment in collaboration with Screen Australia. The film was supported by the City of Gold Coast and the filmmakers worked closely with the Animal Protection Agency to safeguard the animals featured in the film. In credits, the producers acknowledge the Kombumerri people of the Yugambeh language region, in which the film was shot.[3] The screenwriters, Hilary Galanoy and Elizabeth Hackett have teamed up before in Falling Inn Love and Love, Guaranteed.[4]
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5/10.[5] Film critic Aurora Amidon wrote that the film contains the hallmarks of a successful Hallmark film. She described Lola as a "refreshingly inspirational female character".[2] The film shares its title with a Hallmark film, ("The Perfect Pairing") that was released earlier the same year.[6] The scene of singalong to "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet is characterized as visual panache.[7] Screen Rant reviewed the film as it may not "stand out to most but its aura is enough to warrant a watch."[8] The film received some criticism as well. Natasha Alvar wrote the conversations are a "snooze fest" and minor characters are not very interesting.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Nungesser, Samantha (29 May 2022). "'A Perfect Pairing'". Decider.com. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ a b Amidon, Aurora (24 May 2022). "'A Perfect Pairing' Has All the Notes of a Feel-Good Time". filmschoolrejects.com. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ Lennon, Mads (16 May 2022). "Where was A Perfect Pairing filmed?". netflixlife.com. FanSided. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ Moore, Roger (21 May 2022). "Netflixable? "A Perfect Pairing" is Vintage Victoria Justice". Movie Nation. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ "A Perfect Pairing". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
- ^ Kenny, Glenn (18 May 2022). "'A Perfect Pairing' Review: Going Down Under for Wine and Romance". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ Howard, Courtney (18 May 2022). "'A Perfect Pairing' Review: Victoria Justice and Adam Demos Blend Sweet, Smoky Tasting Notes Into A Light-Bodied Rom-Com". Variety.com. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ Ferdosa (20 May 2022). "A Perfect Pairing Review: Unexpectedly Delightful Rom-Com Is Slightly Hollow". Screen Rant. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ Alvar, Natasha (24 May 2022). "A Perfect Pairing REVIEW – Not Very Robust". culturedvultures.com. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
