Based on the eponymous graphic novel by Bobby Crosby, Marry Me stars Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson and Maluma, and is directed by Life Happens director Kat Coiro.
The film follows Kat (Lopez), a hugely successful pop star who is in a relationship with fellow singer Bastian (Maluma). They plan to promote their latest collaboration, a song called ‘Marry Me’ while exchanging vows at an upcoming concert. However, Kat discovers Bastian cheating on her just before the performance, causing her to stumble on stage. Unsure of what to do, she figuratively (and literally) sees a sign saying ‘Marry Me’, held by divorced father Charlie (Wilson), and decides to impulsively marry him.
It is fair to say that when it comes to romantic comedies, they have always been faithful to a simple formula: boy meets girl and they somehow realise their feelings for each other amid confusion, embarrassment, doubt and the odd grand gesture. Needless to say, Marry Me follows this formula to a tee. Kat is a super-popular artist who is constantly surrounded by people, so she barely has a moment of normality. In contrast, Charlie is dedicated as a maths teacher and struggles to connect with young daughter Lou (Gunpowder Milkshake‘s Chloe Coleman), who seems to be frustrated by her dad’s ‘boring’ life. Needless to say, Charlie and Kat’s need for something different draws them together in a sudden and albeit incredulous way and they seem to mutually agree to stay married to save face, despite Kat’s lingering feelings for Bastian and Charlie’s growing discomfort with fame.
Full of glitz and glamour, Marry Me‘s Americanised version of UK rom-com Notting Hill seems more geared towards Millenials. Kat is constantly seen filming or promoting on social media while a hovering cameraman records her life for her online channel – all of which she deems ‘normal’. Despite her quietly wanting some sense of sanity and independence (not just from Bastian but also her entourage), she doesn’t seem to take the chance to just be herself. Instead, she finds some way to become the centre of attention, so it makes audiences wonder whether she can even stop being famous. Since her presence is overwhelming throughout the story, Charlie comes across as a lacklustre love interest whose real passion lies in maths. Along with the weak chemistry between Wilson and Lopez, this notable lack of character development stunts the emotional investment in the protagonists. As a result, the rom-com clichés cause Marry Me to drown amid corny dialogue and a predictable narrative while more endearing characters such as Coleman’s shy Lou and Kat’s surprisingly supportive manager Colin (John Bradley) are left in the background.
Regardless of its predictability, Marry Me is a great vehicle for triple-threat Lopez, who acts, dances and sings in the film. Thanks to its infectious pop soundtrack, there is an energy that keeps the narrative going while The Good Place‘s Jameela Jamil and Utkarsh Ambudkar deliver some of the film’s most memorable moments – unfortunately, these are very few in number and due to its half-baked core elements, Marry Me struggles to stay afloat during its 112-minute runtime.
Driven by Lopez’s glitzy performance, Marry Me will appeal to those who see the classic romantic comedy as a guilty pleasure. Cynics, however, will see it for what it is – cheesy, formulaic and surprisingly dull.
Marry Me is out in UK cinemas on 11 February.
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Director: Kat Coiro, Harper Dill (screenwriter)
Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Sarah Silverman, Maluma, Chloe Coleman, John Bradley, Jameela Jamil, Utkarsh Ambudkar
Runtime: 112 minutes
Country: USA
