Review: “Merry Matrimony” (2015)

Fancy banner done in a navy ground. On either side, Hollywood red curtains tied back with pearl-white cords. In the center of the banner are four gold-navy-&-red art deco-styled brackets framing out the words “Books by Alicia Presents” (in gold), an art deco element beneath, then “Christmas Romance Reviews” (in pearl white).

Basic banner of navy ground and very light gold art-deco brackets in the upper left and bottom right corners. In bolded pearl white, a movie title is written. This one says, “Merry Matrimony.” Beneath it, in gold, is the date (2015) the movie came out sandwiched between two gold art deco elements.

~ A Wedding Planning Romance That Needs Better Planning ~

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Movie Details” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Jessica Lowndes as “Brie Traverston”

Christopher Russell as “Eddy Chapman”

Location: New York City

Platform: Tubi

Date: December 20, 2024

Classic Cinema Scale: Fancy banner with a thick gold border. In the center, in Hollywood red, the words, “Classic Cinema Scale.” Beneath it, three film reels—the top in gold, middle in silver, bottom in bronze. Each has words done in navy. For the gold reel, “Golden Age Worthy: Exceptional performances, chemistry, and production that capture the magic of classic Hollywood.” For the silver, “Matinee Material: Good entertainment with solid elements, though not quite reaching classic status.” And the bronze, “B-Movie Blues: Missing the mark despite potential.”

B-Movie Blues — And that’s being generous. Some movies are better left at the altar.

Tissue Box Scale: Fancy banner with a thick gold border. In the center, in Hollywood red, the words, “Tissue Box Scale.” Beneath it, a column of tissue boxes, all in red, gold, and navy—the top is a single box, middle is two, bottom is three. Each has words done in navy. For the single box, “One Box: Keep a tissue handy, but your makeup is safe.” For the duo, “Two Boxes: You’ll definitely need those tissues, but you’ll still be presentable after.” And the trio, “Three Boxes: “Is pepperoni okay?” territory — don’t even bother with mascara!”

Zero Boxes — Unless you count tears of frustration from watching awkward scenes.

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “First Impression” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

As someone who can’t resist a fashion industry setting, I had hopes.

But when our heroine appeared in ankle boots with a mini skirt (WHO STARTED THIS TREND?), displaying every tooth in her mouth with each syllable of Valley-girl speak (“duh-prassed” instead of “depressed”), I knew we were in trouble.

Gold-framed banner with Art Deco brackets in top corners. The banner reads: “Editor’s Note: Can we please address the ‘him and I’ catastrophe? As both an editor and proofreader, this makes me cringe. Quick grammar lesson: ‘Him’ is a direct object, ‘I’ is a subject — they cannot be linked this way. Would you say, ‘Him went to the store’? No! it’s ‘He and I.’ Thank you for coming to my TED talk.”

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “The Chemistry Test” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Our hero Eddy at least brings lovely hair, a nice smile, and proper height to the proceedings.

But watching Brie eat (apparently trying to preserve lipstick?) and attempt to cry… well, let’s just say some scenes should come with a warning label.

And that wedding cake sampling scene?

Comparing this to George Bailey and Mary from It’s A Wonderful Life feels almost sacrilegious. Their attempt to imitate Jimmy Stewart caused actual physical pain.

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Behind the Scenes” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

The Christmas wedding decorations inside the mansion are truly spectacular — possibly the only real plus in this production.

Brie’s apartment decorations feel appropriately normal, showing what a real person might manage without professional help.

Subsection Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in Hollywood red, are the words, “Wardrobe & Styling” that are sandwiched between gold-&-red art-deco elements.

Here’s a friendly tip for the Continuity department:

If your actress wears rings on every finger, maybe make sure her hand double for the engagement ring close-up matches?

This kind of continuity error is just sloppy.

Gold-framed banner with Art Deco brackets in top corners. The banner reads: "Fashion Pro Tip: Ladies, let’s discuss professional attire: Skin-tight pants with untucked shirts peeking from shorter blazers is not a polished look. And for elegant occasions like weddings, hair should be UP to showcase jewelry and necklines. This isn’t a casual Friday at the office!."

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “The Romance Formula” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

The setup actually had potential — already-dating couple separated by circumstance, reunited years later.

But the “obstacles” feel completely manufactured.

When your only conflict is a heroine too stubborn to see what’s obvious to everyone else (including the audience), you might need better writing.

Gold-framed banner with oversized Art Deco quotation marks in the upper left and lower right, done in a bold Hollywood red. In between the quote marks is the quote and attribution: "The greatest love stories all had obstacles" — Jared.

Well, Jared, by your own definition, this isn’t a great love story because these aren’t obstacles — they’re minor inconveniences blown up by stubbornness and poor communication.

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Christian Corner” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Family-friendly content throughout, though I wouldn’t recommend subjecting your family to it unless someone needs punishment.

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Final Cut” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

When your ending consists of static photographs instead of actual filming (yes, I know the hero’s a photographer, but this is a movie, not a scrapbook), set to a “Christmas song” that sounds more Jackson 5 than holiday spirit, you might want to rethink some choices.

Subsection Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in Hollywood red, is the words, “Highlights” that’s sandwiched between gold-&-red art-deco elements.

Mansion Christmas decorations
Tall hero with nice hair
Authentic mother-daughter scenes
At least they can kiss properly

Subsection Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in Hollywood red, is the word, “Lowlights” that’ sandwiched between gold-&-red art-deco elements.

Valley-girl speech patterns
Fashion disasters galore
Manufactured conflicts
Awkward eating scenes
That painful cake-sampling scene

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Personal Notes” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

As someone who appreciates both fashion and proper grammar, this film managed to offend on multiple levels.

I think I was predisposed to dislike it from the moment those ankle boots appeared with that mini skirt, but the constant teeth display and contrived plot points sealed its fate.

This is one wedding RSVP I wish I’d marked “regretfully decline.”

So… what’s your take on this Christmas movie? Share your thoughts, favorite moments, or fashion observations in the comments below!

Related topics: Christmas romance, holiday movies, classic Hollywood, fashion in film, romantic comedy, seasonal entertainment

This review is part of “BBA’s Christmas in July Romance Reviews Week” series. Check back daily for a new review!

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Color photo of me, Alicia, authoress and writer of this blog. Because these specific posts are all about Christmas romance movies, I enhanced my photo with a Santa hat and with a bough of holly bracketing the bottom right. In the center of the holly bough are two candy canes crossed like lovers in a romantic embrace. (See what I did there? 😊)

Alicia Strickland

As a romance novelist with expertise in fashion, interior design, and a deep love of classic Hollywood, I bring a unique perspective to holiday romance reviews. Join me in exploring the magic (and occasional missteps) of Christmas movies!

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Alicia Strickland

Hi! I write across multiple genres under various pen names. But for nonfiction, I write as myself. As a designer with a love of Old Hollywood and all things creative, I bring diverse perspectives to my storytelling... and to my blog. In the unlikely event that I’m not writing, I enjoy crafting, gardening, or spending time with my flame-point Siamese, Hunter.

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