Marry Me is a slick but enjoyable rom-com starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson.
Kat Valdez (JLo) and Bastian (Maluma) are superstars of song … and the hottest couple on the planet. Their social media presence is in the stratosphere and their megahit Marry Me is about to come true in front of 200 million fans. Valdez has been hitched three times before, but still believes in true love. With the cameras rolling at a splashy concert, where the wedding is due to take place, a shocking revelation changes everything. Bastion has been caught out with Valdez’s assistant. Understandably, Valdez is shell shocked and upset.
On the spur of the moment, she decides to go ahead with the nuptials, only with a total stranger she picks out in the crowd. That happens to be Charlie Gilbert (Wilson), who is only at the event by chance. Gilbert is a maths teacher with an intelligent 12-year-old daughter, Lou (Chloe Coleman), whom he shares with his ex-wife. Lou is at the concert with her father, along with the friend that invited them, colourful school counsellor Parker Debbs (Sarah Silverman). Gilbert is a nice guy, but conservative – absolutely nothing showy about him. Suddenly, his modest, quiet life is left behind as paparazzi follow his every move. What starts out as very much a short-term circuit breaker develops into something more.
The pleasant, inoffensive script is by Harper Dill, John Rogers and Tammy Sagher, based on a graphic novel by Bobby Crosby. With a talented cast, strong score and production values, and fine direction from Kat Coiro, Marry Me is feel-good material. Several of the scenes are charming and the movie put a smile on my face. I walked away feeling the filmmakers had nailed it. The unlikely pairing of JLo and Wilson works. I wanted to believe in them. That’s because for all the pretence with in the movie, their characterisations are grounded.
Chloe Coleman exudes confidence as Gilbert’s daughter, while Sarah Silverman has fun bringing Parker Debbs to life. John Bradley eschews decency as Valdez’ manager Collin Calloway, while Maluma fits comfortably into the role of flirtatious pop star.
I found a lot to like in Marry Me. Coiro’s treatment elevates it above standard fare for the genre. A fun-filled, good looker with an up tempo soundtrack, Marry Me appears set to garner an appreciative audience.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Ralph Breaks the Internet – movie review
- Maestro – movie review
- Lost Girls (Netflix) – streaming review
Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
