Match

A 40-something couple from Seattle arrives in New York to interview a flamboyant bi-sexual 70-something ballet teacher about his long career for a dissertation on classical dance. As the questions probe deeper, they begin to focus upon the man's relationship with a ballerina, with whom he'd enjoyed a brief affair many years previously. Before too long it becomes obvious this romance is the focus of the interviewers' interest, and their inquiries soon take a detour into uncomfortable territory.

Each of the three characters attracts both sympathy and antipathy at various times, with the dialog crackling with wit, pathos and hostility as the story changes direction, tone and pace like a switchback ride. The narrative journeys through several different zones of the emotional spectrum until it eventually arrives at a satisfying conclusion. The three actors turn in excellent performances, and 'Match' provides sophisticated entertainment along with some thought-provoking insights about making art. Hopefully it will do well, and encourage producers to make more films of similar intelligence.

The performance Stewart turns in...if it was anyone but him, would have been a performance talked about for years. It is, quite simply, one of the most nuanced performances from an actor I have seen in years. That alone is reason to give this movie a chance. Lillard turns the best performance I have seen from him outside of a turn on Law and Order that stuck with me.

The dialogue is excellent. This isn't a movie you want to sit down with a phone in your lap and "sortta" watch. You will want to sit down and revel in it. My only negative critique is that a couple of the scenes did carry on too long, but that may have been the director's way of creating discomfort.

Tour de force performance from Patrick Stewart. Unfortunately his role is not really captivating. The young man is more interesting. Ultimately as a film it falls short. Maybe it worked on stage. In some aspects I found Toby's character repulsive.

-Match (2015) movie review: -Match is a limited release film that focuses entirely on an older dance instructor, played by Sir Patrick Stewart, who agrees to be interview by a younger couple, only to abruptly discover that they may have a very different agenda. (Nothing sinister, it's a drama, not a thriller) -Match is an example of an alright film that would be better, but really can't be because of its limitations.

-The story I thought was pretty good and deviant of cliché.

-The pace was probably too quick. With the story, it felt like a longer TV episode.

-The acting was good. Patrick Stewart did a good job, but other than learning how to dance, nothing outside of his skill set. Carla Gugino did well, but nothing beyond her usual roles. I was most impressed by Matthew Lillard, (live action Shaggy) who was really compelling and impressive.

-The characters were deep and there was a lot to either like or dislike. However there is no character that you really feel good liking.

-The music is forgettable. However playing one song twice worked in this.

-The thing I either really liked or really did not like was that the entire film takes place in like a day, and it is right to the point. It is 90 minutes of the main story.

-Match is rated-R for some language, although not heavy, and an R amount of sexual dialogue. By R standards it is not that bad though.

-Match is well acted, compelling, and has a well written story, but lacks in being anything more because of its runtime and lack of anything but the story. I will say I enjoyed it, but it is only worth watching on Netflix/Redbox. 7/10.

-Did you see Match? What did you think? Leave a comment or a like if this review helped and make sure to stay tuned for my review of The Wedding Ringer soon!

Tobi Powell (Patrick Stewart) is a private effeminate Juilliard dance professor with a long distinguished career. He gets interviewed by married couple Lisa (Carla Gugino) and Mike Davis (Matthew Lillard). They eventually reveal the true motive of their visit. They believe that Tobi is Mike's biological father.

Patrick Stewart is a well-established actor of the highest order. He can act circles around anybody. Gugino is a nice partner in this exercise. Lillard, known for playing goofballs, has some solid anger here. I would have liked for the three leads to stay together in that apartment and stew in the conflict longer. It boils over too quickly and Lillard leaves the room for too long. Stewart and Gugino play around for awhile. In the end, Stewart is great but that's not unexpected.