The screenplay for the action-comedy romance film “Love Hurts” was penned by a team of writers and an individual, but I’m unsure of who wrote what. Due to some creative differences, it seems that Universal Pictures was not confident in the movie director JoJo Eusebio’s vision, so they inserted awkward and cringeworthy voiceover narration into the film as a last-minute attempt to compensate for its other issues.
On the contrary, it exacerbated existing issues, which unfortunately renders a film that boasts excellent acting, humor, and action sequences nearly unpalatable.
Love, much like an enigmatic box of chocolates, presents a 50-50 chance with each sweet: some candies are delightful (boasting its stellar elements like romantic moments, action scenes, and comedy), while others leave a bitter taste (dealing with problematic themes, unnecessary narration, and identity crises).
In the film “Love Hurts,” Ke Huy Quan delivers an authentic portrayal of Marvin Gable, a character who embodies the duality of Mr. Chips and Scarface, as described by Vince Gilligan. Marvin is a cheerful realtor with a dark past as his brother’s feared enforcer in the underworld. This role perfectly suits Quan, allowing him to showcase his comedic talent, natural charisma, and martial arts skills. Ariana DeBose, another Academy Award-winner, is equally impressive in her role. She delivers a captivating performance as Rose, the woman whom Marv loves. Years ago, Marvin saved Rose’s life, but when she reappears around Valentine’s Day, their past catches up to them. Her return triggers a wave of danger, with weapons like knives, guns, fists, and feet being employed in pursuit of them.
The movie’s most impressive moments come from its exhilarating action sequences, reminiscent of Jackie Chan classics. In Love Hurts, you’ll find a series of smartly choreographed, intensely violent, and skillfully filmed fight scenes that leave viewers both laughing at their absurdity and gasping at their brutality.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that several skirmishes in the film involve three of its most humorous characters, adding to the overall entertainment value. Mustafa Shakir portrays a stoic and knife-loving poet assassin who becomes entangled in the movie’s most amusing side plot. Simultaneously, Marshawn Lynch and André Eriksen are enjoying every moment as the comedic duo King and Otis from the goon squad. They are so entertaining together that a standalone spinoff featuring them seems appealing. Furthermore, Lio Tipton excels in her role as Marv’s disheartened, lovesick assistant, while Rhys Darby shines as a slippery accountant for Marv’s sibling, both delivering solid performances in their supporting roles.
The remaining actors vary from “adequate” to “underdeveloped,” making it challenging to evaluate their performances fully. However, none of them significantly hamper the movie. I’m disappointed that Daniel Wu, who portrays Marv’s brother Knucles, didn’t have more screen time because he showcases great potential in his limited appearances. Given the film’s brief and engaging 83-minute duration, a few additional scenes would have been beneficial to strengthen the bond between the brothers. Additionally, Sean Astin could have been utilized beyond merely delivering lines. It would have been rewarding to see him contribute more significantly to the plot.
If the movie had just concentrated on delivering a hilarious and action-packed blend of comedy and violence, adding other elements wouldn’t have been essential. However, when it manages to do so effectively, as in “Love Hurts,” it becomes an incredibly enjoyable watch, filled with numerous moments that will make you laugh out loud. The fact that one of Hollywood’s most charming actors uses kitchenware to overpower larger adversaries is a winning approach!
The issue lies with the inconsistency of the film “Love Hurts.” Occasionally, it transitions from an action-comedy to black comedy, and these shifts are too sudden. Characters sometimes meet ends that don’t fit the movie you’ve been watching, which would be less problematic if the film intentionally aimed for such a tone or maintained it once it changed. However, the movie chooses specific instances to get very dark, only to return to its lighter tone shortly after. It seems as though the film mistakes violence for darkness, but they are far from synonymous. The film’s lack of self-awareness regarding this issue is detrimental.
The film fails to further develop or resolve its recurring themes of dealing with the past and the strength of love. While Marvin’s past struggles are consistently emphasized, the script neglects to provide a clear explanation for his need to confront it since he had successfully moved on. This results in an absence of emotional resolution at the end, lacking any significant catharsis despite the film’s expectation of it. Instead, Love Hurts focuses intensely on real estate issues but fails to engage viewers emotionally with the estranged brothers’ relationship. Moreover, the main love story is weakly executed, feeling more like an idea for a romance rather than a fully fleshed-out narrative.
Love Hurts attempts to encompass multiple genres simultaneously, yet falls short by failing to establish its unique concepts effectively. It leaves viewers unengaged about the central theme that it seems desperate for us to embrace. The narration, which appears suddenly and feels forced, is an attempt to address these issues but unfortunately, it’s inconsistent, lacks a clear perspective, and contradicts character interactions at times. This added element feels terrible and utterly disjointed from the rest of the film, making it difficult to determine who should take responsibility for its inclusion.
As someone who appreciates a well-crafted action-comedy, I can confidently say that the movie “Love Hurts” yearns to shine in this genre, whether its creators acknowledged it or not. At its core, it’s designed to provide laughter and thrills, and when given the freedom to do so, it truly delivers. However, whenever the film is pushed beyond its intended boundaries, particularly due to that awkward narration, it falls short. This slight lean towards a decent rating is solely because of its potential when it embraces its true identity as an action-comedy. But when forced into something else, it unfortunately misses the mark.
Regarding Valentine’s Day, it’s often a mix of success or failure – quite appropriate, isn’t it? However, that level of unpredictability isn’t desirable in a film.
Love Hurts ⭐ (3 of 5)
Love Hurts comes to theaters on February 6, 2025.
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2025-02-06 20:03