Matrimoney

starring: JC ANN & JACKSON TILLER

Amelia is a dog walker, Michaelangelo is a billionaire playboy underwear model. When they enter a fake engagement to save Amelia’s sister, and improve Michaelangelo’s reputation, sparks fly.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is lots of fun on Vigloo - it benefits from a great script which avoids a lot of vertical tropes. No slaps or banquet hall scenes here.

Instead the inspiration is Marky Mark Wahlberg who the brilliantly named Michaelangelo seems to be based on. In fact that is the one area where the vertical falls down a bit, he is such a douchebag at the beginning the conversion to devoted man in love doesn't quite gel for me and I am worried about how long the relationship will last. I wasn't swept away by the romance and connection but there is lots to enjoy instead.

- the whole mini subplot with JC Ann and Declan Clifford realising they are not star crossed lovers because he is a CAT person

- Chantal (Bella Gil) being far too good for Michaelangelo (Jackson Tiller) and realizing this rather than chasing him

- every second John Henry Richardson is on screen - and love that the Coldplay obsession now has a new meaning

- Betsy (Maxine Brookhart) being a super sister and looking out for Amelia

The writing and one liners are great, with running gags and some super new ideas.

All that was needed to make it 5 stars was the swoon, and as I say, I didn't feel it here, and ended up more worried about Michaelangelo's drinking habit.

Also I really need to know did Jackson Tiller get to keep that ginormous picture of Michaelangelo in his underwear? What happens to these amazing things props people make?

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

I am worried about this marriage - I don’t think it will last! I’m convinced Michaelangelo is an alcoholic, I’ve never seen a character drink so much whiskey / bourbon on screen. And I don’t think he has changed enough - I think the minute things get hard he may bail. Basically I would call in the therapist and marriage counsellor.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

The best bit is THERE IS NO VILLAIN. Besides possibly Michaelangelo’s ego. Bella Gil’s Chantal has better things to do rather than target Amelia. And the conflict between Michaelangelo and Betsy is words rather than violence, and they talk it through and solve it. Imagine!

😂 Comedy gold:

Endless superb lines in this - from the very clever title, Romulus wanting to book Coldplay, Betsy’s plan to run for the border, Michaelangelo’s taking beers for having to listen to rock music. And Amelia, throwing those statues looked like great fun, and means Michaelangelo can call you “History’s Worst Nightmare”. Very, very well written. Bravo.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Whoever put together Romulus’ wardrobe. MY WORD. John Henry Richardson rocks those threads, and the piece de resistance is the matching outfit for the dog.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director QianQian Zhou | 2025

Available on Vigloo