Name: A Perfect Pairing
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: 2022-05-19T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Victoria Justice, Adam Demos, Luca Sardelis, Samantha Cain, Craig Horner

The first shot of A Perfect Pairing (2022) is a close-up of Lola’s (Victoria Justice) manicured hands gripping the wheel of her rental car, knuckles white as she navigates the dusty roads of an Australian sheep station. It’s a small but telling detail—this is a woman used to control, now utterly out of her depth. Director Stuart McDonald opens with this image to establish Lola’s internal conflict: ambition versus adaptability, city polish versus country grit. The film, released on Netflix in May 2022, leans into this contrast, but not always with the precision its premise demands.

Lola, a high-strung LA wine executive, quits her job at Mythos to launch her own distribution company. Her plan? Secure Vaughn Vineyards, an Australian winery poised for international expansion. Posing as a ranch hand to prove her work ethic, she clashes with Max (Adam Demos), the vineyard’s station boss, whose rugged charm masks a secret identity. The setup is familiar—a fish-out-of-water rom-com—but McDonald and screenwriters Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy infuse it with enough wit and chemistry to keep it engaging.

Justice delivers the standout performance. Lola is written as a high-strung, overcaffeinated workaholic, but Justice grounds her with warmth and humor. Her physical comedy during the hazing scenes—especially when she accidentally blows the farm’s circuit breaker or struggles to load a manure spreader—is genuinely funny. The scene where she finally earns the respect of her coworkers by fixing the hot water heater is a standout, showcasing Justice’s ability to balance vulnerability and determination. Demos, meanwhile, brings a laid-back charisma to Max, but his character arc is less compelling. His secret identity twist feels contrived, and the film doesn’t give him enough depth beyond being the love interest.

The Australian setting is one of the film’s strongest assets. Shot in Queensland, the landscapes are breathtaking—sweeping vineyards, rugged outbacks, and star-studded skies provide a refreshing change from the typical rom-com backdrops. McDonald makes good use of these locations, particularly in the scene where Lola and Max camp under the stars. The cinematography here is simple but effective, capturing the intimacy of the moment without relying on heavy-handed emotional cues.

However, A Perfect Pairing falters in its pacing and structure. The first act is bogged down with exposition about the wine industry, which slows down the momentum. While Lola’s professional stakes are clear—she’s trying to prove herself as an independent entrepreneur—the film struggles to balance her career ambitions with the romance. The wine industry details, while likely appealing to niche audiences, feel like filler in a rom-com that should prioritize character dynamics.

The dialogue also occasionally veers into cliché territory. Lines like “You’re not just some city girl” and “I didn’t come all this way to give up now” are serviceable but unremarkable. The film’s reliance on familiar tropes—such as the secret identity reveal and the “will they won’t they” tension—makes it feel derivative of better-executed rom-coms like The Holiday or Notting Hill. Even the film’s title feels generic, especially given its similarity to a Hallmark movie of the same name.

The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Lucy Durack as Audra, Lola’s coworker and confidante, provides some welcome levity but is underutilized. Craig Horner as Calder, Lola’s smug ex-boss, is one-note, serving primarily as a villain rather than a fully realized character. The real standout among the supporting cast is Samantha Cain as Hazel Vaughn, Max’s sister and the vineyard’s co-owner. Cain brings a quiet strength to her role, making her a compelling presence in what could have been a forgettable part.

The film’s themes of self-discovery and professional reinvention are timely, especially given the rise of entrepreneurship in the wake of the pandemic. Lola’s journey from corporate climber to independent business owner resonates with modern audiences. However, the film doesn’t delve deep enough into these themes. The conflict between Lola’s ambition and Max’s roots could have been explored with more nuance, but instead, it’s often reduced to a simple choice between love and career.

A Perfect Pairing is at its best when it focuses on the chemistry between Justice and Demos. Their banter is sharp, and their romantic tension feels authentic. The scene where they finally give in to their feelings—camped under the stars after a day of fence-mending—is one of the film’s most genuine moments. However, these strengths are undermined by the film’s reliance on clichés and predictable plot twists.

In the end, A Perfect Pairing is a pleasant but forgettable rom-com. It benefits from its leads’ chemistry and scenic Australian setting, but it falters due to its predictable plot and occasional lapses into cliché.