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Movie Review: Marry Me

Mike Tyrkus

While it may not be the pinnacle of achievement in the romantic comedy genre (but, subjectively speaking, what is?), the new film – Marry Me – starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson, proves to be a delightfully entertaining piece that surprises in how likable a film it turns out to be. 

Lopez plays Kat Valdez, a character much like her real-world personage in that she is seemingly everywhere all the time. Kat is betrothed to Bastian (Maluma), a music superstar in the making himself. They currently have a single dedicated to their romance, “Marry Me,” climbing the charts as they prepare to hold the actual ceremony as part of a concert before Kat’s adoring fans. Just before the big moment however, Kat discovers evidence of Bastian’s infidelity and, as she stands before the crowd, shocked by her discovery, she spots high-school math teacher Charlie Gilbert (Wilson) in the crowd with his daughter Lou (Chloe Coleman) and friend (Sarah Silverman), and invites him onstage to become her husband. What follows is an unexpected romance between two people that seem so different they might just be perfect for one another. 

Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in “Marry Me.”

Director Kat Coiro (who is also helming the upcoming Disney+ series She-Hulk) manages to somehow breathe unexpected life into a rather predictable script by John Rogers, Tami Sagher, and Harper Dill (based on the graphic novel by Bobby Crosby), creating a surprisingly upbeat and charming romantic escape for audiences weary of the fare typically forced upon them at this time of year. Editing provided by Michael Berenbaum allows the film to move briskly along, never seeming to drag at any point.  

Coiro’s swiftly moving film is also aided immeasurably by the undeniably likable performances from Lopez and Wilson, who appear as if they were tailor-made for these roles. Although other characters might steal the spotlight from time to time (such as the aforementioned Maluma, the charming Coleman as Charlie’s daughter, or even the affable John Bradley as Kat’s manager Collin Calloway), the dynamic between Wilson and Lopez is the binding force of the entire film. If that doesn’t work, nothing between the credits will either. To their credit, it does. There is a shared longing for love shared between these two characters that allows the viewer to actually care about whether or not they do, in fact, end up together (something wholly remarkable for a modern romantic comedy). 

Although it may be a second-tier entry to the genre, Marry Me ultimately proves to be a tremendously enjoyable romantic comedy courtesy of the inspired dynamic between the film’s leads.

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Mike Tyrkus

Editor in Chief at CinemaNerdz.com
An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

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