Monday 14 February 2022

Marry Me (2022)

Sure it has an absurd premise, and sure the execution is just so so, but that's not why we go to these movies right? Marry Me is the sort of rom com that is filled with all the cliched notions of love we love to celebrate without any of the complications. There is just enough conflict to make us question for half a second whether or not the ending we all know will happen will happen. Nothing about Marry Me is real or honest. But to point that out would just be spoiling the fun. We go to see these movies for one reason and one reason only so why not just embrace it and run with it. 

Owen Wilson is the funny, loveable everyman that we all want to hold up as the ideal. The film manages to contrast him with the sexy young Maluma without vilainizing the latter which is a strong choice. The younger isn't bad he's just not as right as the self-effacing, supportive, smart, hilarious super dad that we're all supposed to hold up as the ideal (despite what happens in the real world). He's got the wacky sidekick and the smart but adorable daughter we all expect as if he's been ordered out of a catalogue. 

Jennifer Lopez is the glamorous superstar with a heart of gold and the desire for something "real." Her madcap career doesn't get in the way when the plot doesn't need it to and she always looks like she's just stepped out of a photoshoot, even after a night of passion. She's as unrealistic a stereotype as he is. 

And they fall in love cause... well... They're both good people? He makes her laugh? She's incredibly hot? I mean insert whatever comforting story you want to here. I'm not sure the film ever makes a convincing case. But again that's not why we're here. Criticizing this movie for being exactly what it sells itself as would be silly. 

But for me this sort of romance just doesn't land. It's charming and I can smile at it but I don't really believe it. But maybe the audience doesn't either. Maybe it's not about believing. It's just about tuning out for a hundred and some minutes and just basking in it for a while. And for that it does its job.   

Marry Me
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Sarah Silverman, Chloe Coleman, Maluma, John Bradley, Michelle Buteau, Stephen Wallem, Jameela Jamil, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Jimmy Fallon
Director: Kat Coiro
Writers: John Rogers, Tami Sagher, Harper Dill    

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