A PERFECT PAIRING -- Have Wine Ready

Review by Adam Donato

(L to R) Adam Demos as Max, Victoria Justice as Lola in A Perfect Pairing. Credit: Vince Valitutti/Netflix © 2022.

A Perfect Pairing is directed by television director Stuart McDonald and is written by Hilary Galanoy and Elizabeth Hackett. It stars Victoria Justice as an upstart wine connoisseur who leaves her corporate office job to pursue her own company. She ventures out to Australia to nab one of her former employers biggest clients that she had already been working on. While she doesn’t even have her own license, her no-quit mentality compels her to take up a position working there where she’s saddled with the handsome groundskeeper. Though they’ve both gotten under each other's skin, maybe just maybe there might be something there.

Let’s get this part of the review out of the way: It’s the same romance TV-movie level content that has been made a million times before. That being said, someone who is not interested in superhero blockbusters may say the same about something like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. All the plots are basically the same. Instead of an uptight businesswoman forming a relationship with a down to earth guy, it’s a superhero origin story in which the hero fights the opposite version of himself. The only thing that’s really different about either type of movie is who are the two leads, where is the setting, and what is the tone. Anyone who has seen these types of movies knows exactly what’s going to happen, but the difference maker is the surrounding details.

The two main leads in A Perfect Pairing are Victoria Justice and Adam Demos. They start out on each other's nerves as she forces her way into working on their farm to which he insists she is not cut out for it. Once they accept their situations, they begin to bond during the time they spend together. As soon as they decide to cement their romance, there’s a misunderstanding that seemingly puts an end to whatever has just started. Only for a big romantic gesture at the end to wrap things up. Their chemistry is weak and Demos is more responsible than Justice, who has ample experience being a lead. She’s bright and personable, while he’s more closed off and his character transition is jarring. To his credit, he’s a hot, hunky, and humble man who works with his hands so that covers a lot of bases for the female fantasy.

(L to R) Adam Demos as Max, Victoria Justice as Lola in A Perfect Pairing. Credit: Vince Valitutti/Netflix © 2022.

These movies are nothing more than female fantasy. The concept of getting the gumption to quit your boring office job to make a name for yourself. Then not only do you accomplish your goal on your own terms, but there’s a dream guy to fall in love with on the way. Every movie says the same thing. Slow down and enjoy the simpler things in life. Travel while you’re still young and meet new people. Take risks that make you learn more about who you are. If one enjoys this standard plot of a movie, then this is no exception.

It’s not the worst experience of a movie. Justice is an admirable character. There’s a good vibe surrounding the movie. There’s some musical moments in the film that feel forced, but any amount of personality is graciously accepted. The backstory from Demos is odd to say the least, but definitely plays into the fantasy. The setting in Australia on a farm definitely fits the formula for this type of movie. It comes into play a couple times as she has to deal with the terrain, wildlife, and hard decisions that come with farm life. A Perfect Pairing accomplishes everything it sets out to accomplish, despite the bar being extremely low.

All the Nickelodeon girls who grew up watching Victorious will certainly enjoy seeing one of their favorite childhood stars grow up with them will certainly enjoy this movie. A Perfect Pairing is the epitome of cliche TV movie romance with some flashes of personality. Nothing here of any significant importance that nobody needs to see. Sure to satiate the romance crowd, but to anyone else, it’s a bore.

A Perfect Pairing is now streaming on Netflix.

Rating: 2/5