What’s It About
A realtor is pulled back into the life he left behind after his former partner-in-crime resurfaces with an ominous message. With his crime-lord brother also on his trail, he must confront his past and the history he never fully buried.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
In this Valentine’s Day action-comedy, Ke Huy Quan plays Marvin Gable, a successful Milwaukee realtor who bakes cookies and seems perfectly ordinary – until his past catches up with him. His carefully constructed facade hides a darker history as a skilled fighter with connections to organized crime. When his former flame, Rose (Ariana DeBose), mysteriously reappears after being presumed dead, Marvin’s carefully built new life starts crumbling. Making matters worse, his brother Knuckles, who runs a criminal organization, sends a team of colorful hitmen after them, seeking revenge for an old betrayal. This sets up a chaotic few days where Marvin must balance protecting his legitimate business reputation while dealing with increasingly dangerous threats from his past. The story shines brightest during its action sequences, where director Jonathan Eusebio’s background in stunt coordination really shows. Fight scenes blend realism with style, paying tribute to Hong Kong action cinema – characters grab whatever’s nearby as weapons, including a memorable fight involving a bubble tea straw. The action flows smoothly, putting viewers right in the middle of each confrontation. The movie excites with crazy and breathtaking moments, sometimes covered with bloody violence that resonates very much with the light-hearted nature of playfulness in the film. It transforms everyday settings like open houses into battlegrounds for extra enjoyment as Marvin goes all out trying to save property from destruction while attempting to fight off the evil gang members. While the film struggles to find a happy blend of action/comedy/romance, the fight scenes seem to be the most successful blend of the formulations. The jokes are a little flat but sometimes land better, especially when mixed in with the action in a classic martial arts comedy style. The romance is underdeveloped but doesn’t hurt the overall experience, considering traditional action comedies usually treat romance like a second thought. The script sometimes becomes bogged down in exposition as characters occasionally just state things too directly instead of letting the story unfold in its natural course. The fast pacing bypasses barriers meant to smooth these parts but ends up offering little to no opportunity for problems to form. The cast holds the material, particularly in their partnered scenes. A quiet moment between Sean Astin (playing Marvin’s mentor, Cliff) and Daniel Wu (as Knuckles) delivers unexpected emotional weight, representing the two different paths Marvin’s life could take. Former NFL star Marshawn Lynch brings surprising comedy chops to his role as one of the assassins. The lead actors handle both the physical demands and character moments well, though their romantic chemistry could be stronger. The supporting cast of assassins each brings their own distinct personality to the mix, creating memorable encounters throughout the film. The smaller parts, including a cameo by Drew Scott of Property Brothers fame, contribute to the whimsical charm of the film. And with a short running time of 83 minutes, it is a breeze to watch, never overstaying its welcome. So, without introducing anything groundbreaking, “Love Hurts” still entertains those who are in desperate need of fun and banged-up action. The film knows precisely what it is – a slightly ridiculous, over-the-top fusion of violence and humor, and it accepts that wholeheartedly. The fight sequences stand out and show off its leads’ martial arts skills, while constantly keeping things light and playful. Some plot threads feel unresolved, suggesting material might have been left on the cutting room floor, but the core story remains coherent and engaging. You might want to wait for streaming rather than seeing it in theaters, but with managed expectations and perhaps a drink in hand, you’ll likely have a good time. For fans of action comedies who don’t mind a Valentine’s Day theme that’s more about flying fists than flying sparks, “Love Hurts” offers plenty of entertainment value.
OUR RATING – A LOVELY 6.5