Marry Me

Directed by Kat Coiro, Marry Me is a rom-com whose screenplay is customized from a graphic novel of the identical title by Bobby Crosby. The movie looks as if a contemporary re-telling of Notting Hill, the place an enormous celeb falls in love with a standard man; nevertheless, Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant had much more attraction and attract than this unlikely couple.

Jennifer Lopez stars as singing sensation Kat Valdez, who finally ends up feeling like a hyper-exaggerated model of Lopez herself. After going via an embarrassing scandal the place she finds out her would-be fiancé, performed by Maluma, has cheated on her simply earlier than their large public marriage ceremony, Kat chooses a random man within the viewers to marry. It seems that man is a single dad and math instructor, Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson).

The premise feels extra like a Hallmark film than a blockbuster movie. JLo, who served as govt producer in Marry Me, participates in a number of product placement within the movie. Marry Me advertises Coach, Guess, Vitamix, and even Wix.com all through. Veiled as a commentary on Kat Valdez’s publicized, social media-run life, these mini commercials solely add to the underscored feeling of the movie.

Three years previous to the discharge of this movie, Lopez took what was considered a career-changing position as Ramona Vega, a veteran stripper within the movie Hustlers. Her work within the heist drama was thought of Lopez’ greatest up to now. The subsequent movie she starred in after such a important success must be essential. Nonetheless, Marry Me is a throw-away date evening flick that doesn’t even stand as much as Lopez’s early romantic movies like The Wedding ceremony Planner or Maid in Manhattan.

Although Owen Wilson is normally a likable, down-to-earth man in most motion pictures he seems in, his character feels off right here. Charlie Gilbert has every little thing viewers would need from a sympathetic male lead. He’s a single dad whose spouse dumped him. He’s a public faculty math instructor who’s head of the maths membership. His daughter’s going via puberty and is embarrassed by every little thing he does. Nonetheless, Charlie’s traces and boring characterization make him come off as unusual, not relatable. When he tells Kat she seems to be “good to go” as a praise to specific she doesn’t want hair extensions or make-up, it comes throughout as icky, not cute.

Marry Me is filled with tons of different big-name stars whose abilities all really feel utterly wasted on this mediocre story. Kat’s assistant, Melissa, is performed by Michelle Buteau, who appears cursed to play solely one of the best buddy or assistant most motion pictures she has been in. Although Bantu normally lights up the display screen, she’s simply imply with none shine on this occasion. Charlie’s greatest buddy, a steerage counselor named Parker, is portrayed by the incomparable Sarah Silverman, who, once more isn’t something particular right here. Even one-scene talking roles are occupied by veteran actors like Utkarsh Ambudkar and Jameela Jamil.

Audiences who love Jennifer Lopez will take pleasure in this film. She’s in virtually each scene, and there are sufficient singing and dancing scenes for her greatest followers. {Couples} in search of a film to see on Valentine’s Day may also discover consolation in a film the place the ending is secure and predictable. Through the finish credit, among the characters share how they met and fell in love interspersed with actual individuals sharing their precise love tales. These little meet-cute vignettes really feel so enjoyable and honest after watching a romantic movie with no spark. It’s a marvel nobody noticed these items and realized there was extra life within the credit than the whole movie earlier than them.