Welcome to the tragicomic world of matchmaking in modern Taipei. The leading light in the Taiwanese marriage market is the energetic matchmaker Chen, who specializes in nudging notoriously intransigent bachelors. One of Chen’s many clients is Wu, the maker of this documentary. While Wu waits impatiently for Mr. Right (or is it Mr. Available?), she documents couples at various stages in their coupledom, post-Chen. Some are smitten with each other. Others tease and bicker openly about minor details. Others have more deep-seated problems, where reproaches about selfishness and cold-heartedness never stop. Rife with moments of both torturing silence and absolute enigma, this thoughtful documentary poses one central question: Is love a matter of fate or just a numbers game? With 50 percent of marriages ending in divorce, Taiwan provides ample business for matchmakers like Chen, who prides herself on grappling with the most difficult cases. Wu has the feeling she missed the boat, but Chen knows just what to do with “hopeless,” would-be spinsters. Her motto: There's nothing wrong with failing, as long as you know why you failed.


Photographed by Chen Maso. (90 min, Warner Bros. F.E. Inc., Taiwan)