This Matter of Marriage

This Matter of Marriage is a captivating romantic drama released in the year 1998. Directed by Brad Turner renowned for his excellent work in crafting compelling drama screens, this film is an adaptation of Debbie Macomber's esteemed novel by the same title. It stars accomplished actors like Leslie Hope, Rick Peters, and Sherry Miller, who bring the script to life with their spectacular performances.

The movie centers around the character of Hallie Mitchell, beautifully portrayed by Leslie Hope. She's a dynamic, determined, and highly competent architect who is respected and recognized in her professional domain. While confidently juggling her hectic work life that comprises of meeting deadlines and client expectations in her own architectural company, her personal life is where she is battling uncertainties and insecurities.

Hallie has a dream - a dream of a perfect life partnered with the perfect man. However, living in the new-age city life with her best friend and business partner, portrayed by Sherry Miller, she finds herself navigating through the risky waters of the dating world. Riding the wave of romantic relationships, Hallie's encounters range from the sweetly awkward to the absolutely disastrous, each experience unravelling a new layer of the dating conundrum she finds herself in.

On the other side, we have the charming Rick Peters who plays the role of Steve Marris. He is a love-struck man, ensnared by the magic of Hallie from the moment he lays eyes on her. In a world where Knight-in-Shining-Armor seems to be folklore, Steve carries the torch of chivalrous, loving, and caring gentlemanly attributes. His pursuit of his love interest is laced with a touch of innocence and pure unconditional love for Hallie.

Simultaneously, there's Donnalee Crawford played by Sherry Miller, who is the poignant best friend, and business partner, in Hallie's corner - offering advice born of her own fraught romantic experiences, all the while dealing with a relationship drama of her own.

As Hallie and Steve's worlds continue to collide, they slowly realize that love isn't as straightforward as they'd once believed. The trials and tribulations they face in their quest for love promise to take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster filled with moments of laughter, tears, and sublime tenderness.

The portrayal of each character is deep and involved. The screenplay takes time with each scene, each character, each dialogue, allowing the audience to form a relationship with the characters, mourn their failures, and rejoice in their triumphs. The interplay between work and personal life, the influences of one on the other, and the pressures of modern relationships are all well explored.

There are no clear villains or heroes in this narrative; it evolves with a close-to-real-life portrayal of relationships and allows its audience to ponder over their own expectations, dreams, and realities of love. It skillfully walks a fine line between cliché and comfort, and gently tugs on the heartstrings as bonds are built, broken, and healed over the course of two hours.

The cinematography is strikingly manaaged, with the urban landscape of the city forming a beautiful backdrop to this drama. Each scene is filmed with the right balance of warmth and intensity, mirroring the emotions on screen. The movie score and soundtrack resonate with the narrative, adding depth to the performance.

In summary, This Matter of Marriage harks back to traditional romance films, but with a distinctive modern spin. It's a charming journey of love and friendship, of lost and found relationships, of dreams meeting reality, and ultimately, of the quest for true love. For anyone who enjoys immersive character studies, realistic scripting, and a good old-fashioned romance, This Matter of Marriage is a recommended watch. It’s a feel-good movie that reminds one that even with all its complexities, love is worth the effort.