Warning: spoilers ahead
This film is tough to watch.
“Love Hurts” hit theaters recently, showcasing stunt coordinator Jonathan Eusebio’s directorial debut. The story follows Marvin (Ke Huy Quan), a kind-hearted realtor trying to hide his dark past as a fixer for crime lord Knuckles (Daniel Wu), who is also his brother. Just when Marvin is settling into his new life, a Valentine’s Day card from the alleged-dead Rose (Ariana DeBose) brings trouble back to his door. Together with his complicated partner, he must confront the past and face the crime syndicate, turning their journey into a romantic action-comedy that Universal Pictures hopes will attract Valentine’s Day crowds.
This movie is marketed as a fun date flick, but it may disappoint solo viewers. While it has a mix of action and comedy, neither really shines. Couples might find it an easy background watch, but if you’re flying solo, there’s not much to enjoy despite the well-known cast.
Just three years ago, DeBose celebrated an Oscar win for her role in “West Side Story.” She encouraged everyone to dream big. The following year, she presented Quan with his Oscar for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” also emphasizing the importance of believing in dreams.
Unfortunately, their careers post-Oscar have been rocky. DeBose stars in Sony’s “Kraven the Hunter” and lends her voice to Disney’s “Wish,” both of which received poor reviews. Quan has limited appearances on the big screen, with a minor voice role in “Kung Fu Panda 4.” It’s a far cry from the heights they reached together.
Despite this, combining their talents in “Love Hurts” seemed promising. Quan is known for bringing heart to his performances in quirky stories. With Eusebio, known for his work on “Black Panther” and “Deadpool 2,” directing, there was hope for an exciting film experience.
Unfortunately, the chemistry between Quan and DeBose falls flat. The filmmakers had to resort to narration to bridge the gaps in their relationship. Rose is painted as a feisty companion but actions like threatening hostages create confusion about her character. Marvin is meant to be relatable—a successful man living the dream—yet watching him revert to his violent past offers little satisfaction.
The film struggles to balance its dark themes with comedic elements, resulting in a muddled storyline. For instance, the hitman Raven (Mustafa Shakir) unexpectedly falls for Marvin’s assistant (Lio Tipton) after a compliment about his poetry, only to later harm others without hesitation. Knuckles has a quirky fixation on boba tea while committing violent acts, illustrating a confusing mix that fails to resonate.
In action films, stunts are crucial, and while “Love Hurts” has some clever setups using common household items, the camera work undermines the action. Excessive cutting during fight scenes dulls their impact, and it often feels like a stunt double is taking the blows rather than giving it a true sense of realism.
Even with a familiar plot, “Love Hurts” should have offered more. It has a few laughs—most shown in the trailer—and some decent action sequences, but that’s not enough to recommend it. Quan’s hopes for a triumphant action comeback fade here, and DeBose’s post-Oscar challenges continue.
Like Rose, this film should have stayed buried. Instead, it stumbles back to wreak havoc on Valentine’s Day.
Check out this related article: Unveiling Parthenope (2024): An In-Depth Movie Review You Can’t Miss!
Source link