The Matchmaker (1997)
A sharp-witted campaign aide lands in rural Ireland and stumbles into a matchmaking festival — with romantic consequences she never saw coming.
The Matchmaker - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Mark Joffe
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Romance
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 3, 1997 (United States - R)
- Production Companies: Good Film Company, Working Title Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Gramercy Pictures
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
The Matchmaker - Plot
Marcy, a worker in the reelection campaign of bumbling Senator John McGlory, is sent to Ireland on a quest to find the Irish ancestry of Sen. McGlory, to help him win the Irish vote. But when Marcy arrives in the small village of Ballinagra, she finds herself in the middle of a matchmaking festival, and the local matchmaker is determined to pair her off with one of the local bachelors.
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The Matchmaker - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mark Joffe
Main Cast
- Janeane Garofalo
- David O'Hara
- Milo O'Shea
- Jay O. Sanders
- Rosaleen Linehan
- Paul Hickey
- Maria Doyle Kennedy
- Saffron Burrows
- Denis Leary
- Olivia Caffrey
Writers
- Karen Janszen
- Graham Linehan
- Louis Nowra
- Greg Dinner
Producers
- Eric Fellner
- Tim Bevan
- Luc Roeg
The Matchmaker - FAQs
What is The Matchmaker (1997) about?
The Matchmaker follows Marcy, a campaign staffer sent to a small Irish village to dig up her senator's ancestry before an election. She arrives right in the middle of a traditional matchmaking festival, and the local matchmaker has other plans for her — pairing her off with one of the village bachelors.
Does Marcy end up with someone in The Matchmaker?
Yes — and the journey there is half the fun. Marcy arrives in Ballinagra as a self-declared skeptic of romance, but gradually finds herself drawn to Sean Kelly, a local man with quiet charm. The matchmaking festival works its magic in the most unexpected ways.
Where can you watch The Matchmaker (1997)?
You can check current streaming availability for The Matchmaker on JustWatch, which tracks rental, purchase, and subscription options across all major platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country.
Who are the main actors in The Matchmaker?
Janeane Garofalo leads the cast as Marcy, with David O'Hara playing her Irish love interest Sean Kelly. The film also features Milo O'Shea as the lovable matchmaker Dermot O'Brien, Jay O. Sanders as the bumbling senator, and Denis Leary in a supporting role.
Is The Matchmaker based on a real Irish tradition?
The film draws inspiration from the real Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in County Clare, Ireland — one of Europe's oldest and largest singles festivals, held every September. The fictional village of Ballinagra and its colorful matchmaker are invented, but the cultural backdrop is very much rooted in Irish tradition.
Who directed The Matchmaker and who wrote it?
The film was directed by Australian director Mark Joffe. The screenplay was written by Karen Janszen, Graham Linehan, Louis Nowra, and Greg Dinner — a notably large writing team that helped shape the film's blend of political satire and Irish romantic comedy.
What is the age rating for The Matchmaker?
The Matchmaker is rated R in the United States. While it's a romantic comedy at heart, the R rating reflects some adult humor and language throughout the film, making it better suited for mature audiences rather than younger viewers.
What movies are similar to The Matchmaker?
If you enjoyed The Matchmaker, you might also like What a Girl Wants (2003), Clueless (1995), Easy Virtue (2008), or How to Be Single (2016). For more politically tinged comedies, Bob Roberts (1992) and Bulworth (1998) offer a similar satirical edge alongside the laughs.
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