Genre: Comedy| Drama | Music

Director: Stephen Belber

Writer: Stephen Belber

Stars: Patrick Stewart, Carla Gugino, Matthew Lillard |

Patrick Stewart gives a captivating performance in this witty, emotionally gripping adaptation of director Stephen Belber’s own Tony Award-nominated play. Stewart stars as Tobi, an eccentric, pot-smoking Manhattan ballet instructor whose quiet life is interrupted by the arrival of a young couple (Carla Gugino & Matthew Lillard) from Seattle, presumably there to interview him about his colorful life as a dancer in the 1960s. As Tobi spins salacious tales from his former career, an ulterior motive for the couple’s visit emerges, forcing the trio to confront a secret that may connect them all. Driven by Stewart’s tour-de-force performance, Match moves masterfully between razor-sharp comic banter and heartrending poignancy. -IFC Films

As a solid family drama with light hearted and sentimental moments, Match tells the story of a ballet instructor who befriends a young couple who want to interview him. Things aren’t what they seem. In an unexpected twist, the true motives are revealed which even took me by surprise. Though it is dialogue heavy with a majority set in Tobi’s Manhattan apartment, Match is rarely dull. There’s a lot happening as the plot progresses and the characters develop.

My favorite thing about Match was Patrick Stewart. He is the heart and soul of this movie. After watching Patrick Stewart deliver his incredible, multi-layered fascinating performance in Match, I would love to see him in more movies while stretching himself as an actor. He brings such stature and maturity to an emotional complex role. What audiences experience with Match is a different persona we are familiar with like in X-Men or Star Trek. This could give his career a breathe of fresh air. If you were a fan, I would recommend seeing it for his performance alone!

My favorite thing about Match was Patrick Stewart. He is the heart and soul of this movie.

What I found equally impressive was writer/director Stephen Belber transitioning from Broadway production to low-key indie cinema. Mr. Belber commands the actors in the direction especially Stewart and with the dialogue. He grabbed the talents of Patrick Stewart and what we see on screen is this director’s hard work. Considering this is his play he adapted, it makes sense. It is tough to complete a film within mostly an apartment. It is equally challenging to bring to life a play to the big screen. Mr. Belber accomplishes both. I strongly encourage him to make more movies instead of plays!

I rate Match a 7.5 out of 10