3.5 out of 5 stars (above average)
I’ve always seen romantic comedies as the comfort food genre of film. While some are certainly better than others, the good ones can be the answer to a bad day or long work week to sit down and enjoy either alone or with your significant other. Jennifer Lopez has jumped into the romcom pool a few times with The Wedding Planner, Maid in Manhattan, and Second Act. While I personally didn’t love those outings, her newest film Marry Me won me over with its sweet-natured vibe and the chemistry between Lopez and Owen Wilson. Either in theaters or at home on Peacock, Marry Me is the escapist romcom we’ve been missing and a great outing for Valentine’s Day.
Everyone is gaga for pop stars Kat Valentine (Jennifer Lopez) and Bastian (Maluma). The two are set to be married until Kat finds out Bastian cheated on her… Right before she’s set to say “I do” to a crowd of millions. In a panic, she denies him and selects single dad Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson) from the crowd instead, a math teacher who couldn’t know less about her and her pop star lifestyle. With her manager Collin (John Bradley) and Charlie’s friend Parker (Sarah Silverman) and daughter Lou (Chloe Coleman) in tow, the two must find a happy medium for their differing lives, falling in love in the process.
Marry Me is a charming movie that hops between silly and sentimental with ease. Lopez and Wilson make an unexpectedly solid pairing together and have understated chemistry that sells you on the relationship. You know where this is going by about the half-hour mark, but the road getting there is fun, frothy, and energetic. Lopez also belts out some good songs along the way which is always a plus. Marry Me is a sweet and funny romcom perfect for Valentine’s Day. See it.
Rated PG-13 for Some Language and Suggestive Material (JLo has some skimpy show outfits).