Despite a breakthrough acting performance from Ann Marie Rios, The Engagement Party is the first really weak link in this outstanding new series of romantic features geared toward couples and women. I’ve seen all of them, and they’ve all been good, even excellent. But this one lacks punch, with a mundane script and sex scenes that drag and never ignite.

Ann Marie, in love with Chris Johnson, wakes up to find that he’s left for good (after they fuck in the living room). Five years later, engaged to Rocco Reed, Ann Marie is surprised by the sudden appearance of Johnson, which would make you think the dramatic tension would rise. Alas, nothing happens, and the dialogue does nothing to add eroticism or sexual anxiety or much of anything.

Rios is pretty decent in her scene with Reed, but the Reena Sky/Ramon Nomar sex romp as well as the outdoor tryst with cute Natasha Nice and J. Jay both lack any sizzle. The whole thing just feels labored.

Every series has its ups and downs, and this outstanding collection of movies has hit its only speed bump. I’ll just look forward to the next one. A nice, thorough BTS is actually the highlight of the whole package.