Mystery Files – Matchmaker Mysteries: A Killer Engagement (2019)

Matchmaker Mysteries: A Killer Engagement (2019)

Directed by:
David Mackay

Written by:
Stephen Mazur

Production by Match Media/Match Productions
Runtime: 1 hour 24 minutes
Released on October 6, 2019 (United States)

Starring
Danica McKellar
Victor Webster
Bruce Boxleitner
Cory Lee
and more…

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I have no affiliation with this company and nor are they paying for me to review this, but the reason I watched this because I love:

I love the cheesiness that is a Hallmark movie. They are “feel good” films. They have heart to them. You know that typically there are not going to be “dark” moments within these films, even when they are mystery films outside of the quick death to them. This leads me to the next point.

I may have a bit of an obsession with mysteries. You can read more about that in THIS POST. I also remember Danica from when I watched the few episodes of “The Wonder Years” that I remember watching when I was growing up. I was not as huge fan of that particular show, but I do recall seeing her on it. I recently subscribed to the “Hallmark Movies Now” app (no paid promotion still people) and this was the first thing that I immediately wanted to watch. An actress I somewhat remember, a mystery, and Hallmark? OMG sign me the heck up right now and guess what? I DID. See my thoughts on it below.

So one of the blessings to me, about Hallmark movies is they are never going to be these thought provoking masterpieces. They are to be enjoyed as entertainment and overall for their cheesiness. They are supposed to be cozy and make you feel good. They are supposed to be exactly what they are. They provide comfort to those that love them and the mystery films that they produce are no different, except for the obvious murder aspect. They are definitely filled with cheesiness and full of cliches. There is nothing wrong with watching something that has these elements and if you hating on someone that loves them then STOP! It isn’t hurting anyone and sometimes we need escapism from the world with feel-good films. I am here for that! ALL OF IT!

I thoroughly enjoyed the acting here. I knew of Victor Webster from his soap opera work, so I went in fully prepared for that style of acting. I was not disappointed because oh my goodness do I love soap operas. He did such a phenomenal job as the detective in the mystery and the leading man, but the star of the show is obvious: Danica McKellar as Angie Dove, the matchmaker. She is such a charming actress and plays well off of every other actor that she shares the screen with. She makes scenes that are cliched into moments that are refreshing because she knows to play up her mannerisms and play the scene for the audience. I was honestly thrilled throughout. Those cliched moments where she is “just there” at a suspects house or is “discovered sleuthing” by the detective character Danica plays those moments superb. I think in another lead these cliched mystery moments could have been so bad, but McKellar plays the scenes sincerely enough to take away some of the cheesiness. Since I plan on watching several of these Hallmark Mystery movies, I am hoping this stays true in other leads. I am prepared though to roll my eyes at some of them, but even eye rolling can be fun at times if it allows you to unwind and escape from the entire world.

The main plot of this is of a television matchmaker helping to solve a murder mystery. The killed individual is someone from her TV show that is engaged. This leads to the typical elements of a cozy type mystery. People, places, and danger! Always those things. This isn’t any different. It has all the mystery elements. You have numerous suspects and each will be on your list for a brief moment, but then they will be crossed off up to the exciting conclusion. I am someone that usually can guess who the killer is in these types of things, but I found myself a little off on this one. I was left aghast at the why, as it didn’t feel like what I normally think will happen in a cheesy movie that I usually attach to Hallmark. This had a bit of an actual twist that I enjoyed because it made sense for a mystery series that revolves around the theme of matchmaking. This twist really made me feel that the writing was on point! I always enjoy when a mystery is able to leave my mouth open a tiny bit and leave me going wow, I didn’t see THAT coming. Bravo you cheesy little Hallmark movie, bravo indeed.

There are 2 more films in the trilogy of mystery movies. I will be reviewing the other two as well, as I have watched both of them as of this writing. I may have watched them almost immediately because OH SO GOOD!