Finally a romantic comedy, Marry Me, opens this week and it’s a sweet love story. Not only is the story likeable without the raunchy language or up in your face conflict, it’s packed with heart filling songs. The target audience, 21 plus, should like the production with all the glitz and glamour of pop stars.
Pop star Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez) has been having a good run with several hits. Her newest song “Marry Me”, as a duet with Hispanic heart throb singer Bastian (Maluma), has been a sensation, boosting her following. In love, the couple plan to get married at a huge concert in front of a million fans worldwide.
In the meantime divorcee Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson), a math teacher at the local middle school that her daughter Lou (Chloe Coleman) attends, has been having a problem with the 12 year old. She has been getting a lot of negativity from her fellow math students over freezing up at math contest and can’t seem to get a grip on putting it all behind her. With this year’s math contest coming soon, Charlie turns to fellow teacher Parker (Sarah Silverman) for advice.
Having two extra tickets to the Kate Valdez tour, Parker convinces Charlie to go with her and bring Lou. It’s the beginning of a fate filled night that will change their lives forever. Director Kat Coiro does a terrific job of bringing the characters all together for a fun romp among the rich and famous. Using a sound track with performances that surly should get recognition in next year’s Oscars, there’s been nothing like it thus far in 2022.
The cast for the romance is perfect with Jen pulling off an amazing performance as the pop star Kat that’s headed for the challenge of her life. Songs like “Marry Me” both as a solo and a duet with Mahuna makes the film uplifting. She then keeps it going with “On My Way” opening her heart to let in a spark of love from Charlie.
As the hapless math teacher Owen Wilson brings sincerity to the film with a performance that makes his Charlie very likable. It’s what makes the film enjoyable and refreshing to see a caring father creating a family after divorce, especially in this day and age.
Marry Me has been rated PG-13 for some language and suggestive material. For the target audience and the dating crowd my rating is 4 out of 5 stars for the sweet romance and music.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma, John Bradley, Chloe Coleman and Sarah Silverman
Directed by: Kat Coiro
Genre: Romantic Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language and suggestive material
Running Time: 1 hr. 52 min.
Opening Date: February 11, 2022
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Released in: Theaters and Streaming only on Peacock
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
