Netflix’s ‘A Perfect Pairing’ Is a Good Guilty-Pleasure Watch—Despite This One Major Flaw

I will say that this movie is truly escapism at its finest, with its cozy small-town feel and stunning Australian backdrop. Wine enthusiasts will especially appreciate Lola and Max's romantic getaway to the winery, featuring a nice little tour of the family's stunning wine cellar. However, despite the scenery and film title's clever play on words, Lola and Max don't quite feel like the "perfect pair."

They do share some cute moments, like when they go for a swim and when Lola pokes fun at the Aussie for constantly reciting inspirational quotes. But even then, there's little-to-no chemistry between the two. A few of their interactions—like when they bicker over one particular sheep—feel a bit forced and contrived, which makes it harder to take their budding relationship seriously. And in one scene, when Max saves Lola from a snake, the two share a brief "moment" that, somehow, lacks any kind of spark.

This film would've greatly benefited from a more genuine connection like, say, Mia and Nicholas in The Princess Diaries 2, or Kathleen and Joe in You’ve Got Mail. In those films, viewers could literally sense the romantic tension in the air, even when they weren't getting along. There was a natural dynamic between the actors that made these love stories feel authentic. They were so believable, in fact, that audiences could overlook the ridiculously far-fetched storylines.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case here. And for this reason, I found myself more drawn to Lola's passion for wine, as well as her drive to launch her own brand and champion women in the business. She struck me as a fearless, feminist role model who never quits, which is always refreshing to see in feel-good romances like this.

You'll enjoy A Perfect Pairing if you live for escapist, fairytale rom-coms, but if you're a stickler for romance movies with deeper themes and nuanced characters, you won't find that here. The Netflix original isn't necessarily groundbreaking—and it's not trying to be. Rather it's a cookie-cutter rom-com designed to give you all the feels—although ironically, it's not completely successful.

Still, lack of chemistry aside, A Perfect Pairing is a good choice for those who could use an easy watch after a long day. Just as long as you don't mind suspending disbelief for an hour and 40 minutes.

Purewow Rating: 3 Stars

A Perfect Pairing sets itself up to be a sweet Hallmark romance, but falls a bit flat due to the predictability of the plot and the lack of chemistry between Justice and Demos. While the performances aren't Oscar-worthy, the gorgeous setting and Justice's charm make this movie enjoyable.

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