Sentiments (TV Series) A Matter of Convenience (1988) User Reviews

Confident script about arranged marriage with an ending that will surprise and please.

[Steve-evans-4 · 7/10 · 13 March 2006]

When most films with wedding themes travel a well-worn track, A Matter of Convenience offers something new. John Clarke's contribution to this TV movie is the clincher. A dry wit, great script writer, and assured actor, Clarke adds a puzzled 'everyman' aspect to this charming production. His dilemma is enticing, and the story's denouement is offbeat but pleasing. Compare the plot to such clunkers as The Bachelor and you can see where the characterisations in this film offer more realistic and touching aspects to the situation of marriages of convenience. There is humour and a range of quirky but recognisable characters nudging the main players to make decisions about the true nature of their relationships. A Matter of Convenience questions us about temptation, in the form of money and romance/sex, but comes up trumps with acute observations on love and commitment. Find this show!

I love this movie - the players, the script, the setting - a pity it never went commercial.

[jcarroll-5 · 26 October 2004]

If you've seen Peter Weir's "Green Card" (1990) then you've heard the story; there is a lot of similarity between the two films. But in my view, Ben Lewin's (Lewin = some Ally McBeal episodes) earlier movie is meatier in every way. And I am really pleased that it's set in St Kilda and understands that district. Debra-Lee Furness ("Shame") is impressive as Valma - you can see why Hugh Jackman got involved - and John Clarke, a NZ-origin funnyman with a very very very dry sense of humour well-known on Oz TV (eg. "The Games" 2000), is perfect as her hopeless lifemate Joe. His chicken-factory sequence is brilliant, it almost made me a Vegan. Jean-Pierre Cassell, the marriage broker, appeared opposite Jean Seberg in "The Five Day Lover" about 1967 - it was interesting to see him playing a similarly sleazy character 20 years on, but hair-challenged. The two DIMA (INS to you across the water) officials are just right as red-tape-bureaucrats-with-a-heart. If you can find this movie, see it. If you can't, put some pressure on the producer, Noel Price, to get it out there.