The generically titled **The Perfect Match** possesses a few positive qualities despite adhering to standard romantic comedy conventions: an appealing and attractive cast, occasional moments of playful humor, and a genuine enthusiasm for its unconventional approach to romance. However, this isn't quite enough to elevate **The Perfect Match** from its familiar storyline about finding true love and generating laughs. The film feels predictably formulaic and transparent, evoking the feeling of late-night viewings on BET sandwiched between commercials for hair products. While **The Perfect Match** has a certain stylishness, it doesn’t surpass the predictable antics found in other urban romantic comedies like 1997's **Love Jones** or 1999's **The Best Man**. Director Bille Woodruff and screenwriters Brandon Broussard, Dana Verde, and Gary Hardwick attempt to present a charming story about a handsome playboy who avoids commitment, but they never manage to lift **The Perfect Match** beyond its commonplace, manufactured feel. The premise has been explored many times before, and this film contributes nothing new or inventive to it. Terrence Jenkins portrays Charlie, a successful photographer with a reputation for casual relationships. His lifestyle changes when he meets Eva (Cassie Ventura), a vibrant woman who shares his reluctance towards serious commitments. Charlie is surrounded by friends facing their own relationship challenges. Donald Faison and Dascha Polanco play Rick and Pressie, a married couple struggling to start a family, while Robert Christopher Riley and Lauren London portray Victor and Ginger, an engaged couple arguing about wedding expenses. Despite these conflicts, the couples are committed to each other, unlike Charlie, who struggles to focus his attention on one woman. Charlie’s friends and family have repeatedly tried to set him up with potential partners, but their efforts always end in disappointment. He becomes intrigued by Eva's similar philosophy of keeping relationships casual. However, he begins to develop feelings for her, sensing that she might be the person who can convince him to settle down and invest his time in a single relationship. The central question is whether Eva will abandon her "friends with benefits" lifestyle for Charlie’s attempt at a stable relationship. There are moments when **The Perfect Match** feels genuinely charming, particularly during scenes where Charlie, Rick, and Victor reminisce about how their lives have been shaped by the women they've encountered. However, Woodruff awkwardly assembles the predictable storylines of Charlie and his friends with random scenes highlighting their unresolved conflicts, which never fully come into focus. The arguments between the supporting couple lack a sense of urgency, and Charlie’s realization that he needs to change his ways is obvious from early on. In an attempt to explain Charlie's fear of commitment, the film introduces his therapist sister Sherry (Paula Patton), but the flimsy material prevents any meaningful exploration of his womanizing tendencies. While **The Perfect Match** can be amusing at times, it mostly follows a predictable path with easy laughs and uncomplicated romantic resolutions. **The Perfect Match** (2016) Jorva Entertainment Productions 1 hr. 36 mins. Starring: Terrence Jenkins, Cassie Ventura, Donald Faison, Paula Patton, Robert Christopher Riley, Dascha Polanco, Lauren London, Kali Hawk Directed by: Bille Woodruff MPAA Rating: R Genre: Romantic Comedy Critic's rating: ** stars (out of 4 stars) (c) Frank Ochieng

Source on TMDB