The Arranged Marriage

starring: MEG BUSH & NOAH ANDRE

When a scandal threatens his political ambitions, President’s son Alexander Pierce enters a fake marriage with his law school rival, Julia, to clean up his public image. Julia only agrees to the arrangement to save her sick mother, but as hate transforms into undeniable heat, their strategic game turns into real love.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is lovely, and a very sweet romance, but didn't quite hit the mark for me, largest because the story itself is so slight.

It's tricky, @noahandre_ has one of the best scenes in a vertical this year with his apology. By far my fave @megbush_ performance, so rewarding to see her in a vertical where she has something to work with and isn't covered in slime / flour / coffee or have her shirt ripped open. It's the little things.

But the story is a struggle. Personally given today's reality, the setting of the Presidency jars because it encroaches a bit too much on the real world.

And Julia is supposed to be this hot shot lawyer, does stand up to Nana, but also spends far too long crying. The story wants her to be this strong female lead, but the script doesn't give her the words. I wanted to see her tear a shred out of Alexander, not just suffer beautifully.

And security is rubbish letting @annierileyyy / Ava have access to Alexander again after that hatchet job

The leads are great

@noahandre_ always delivers and now would love someone to give him a role that isn't YA so he can show his full range, it's like when everyone was trapped in the stoic CEO role. Noah is clearly mega talented, let's give him something new to work with

And I am a bit torn about @megbush_ . Look she is wonderful but she is so so so beautiful you lose a little bit of the relatability, which is something @watchcandy_jar always excelled at.

And also Meg is so beautiful why did someone put that awful lipstick on her and too much blush. Meg is stunning! The lipstick because distracting, and I started spotting continuity errors with it.

And yes I am being a bit grumpy here. Just think the script needed another pass to get it to the level to match the quality being brought to this production

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

The entire scene where Alexander apologises for how he has treated Julia. Little bit of a masterclass in good script, giving the actors time, and then Noah Andre being incredibly talented.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Alexander’s self destructive streak? Ex girlfriend Ava? Or the terrible Presidential security that allows both an ex and a journalist who did a hatchet job on Alexander into his rehearsal dinner (that has no guests).

😂 Comedy gold:

Julia telling a former first lady to get her head out of her *ss.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Nana - because she is clearly the one still calling the shots in the family, calls Alexander on his bad behaviour, but also respects Julia when she stands up to her, and is clearly willing to give him another chance.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Bo Youngblood | 2026

Available on CandyJar