The marriage planner meets a marriage crasher; it looks like the massive studio romcom by no means went away. Right here’s a movie gentle on drama and heavy on stunning folks going for walks, attractively; one wealthy in catchy songs however restricted in plot. Typically, that’s sufficient — although there are hints that this might have been sharper than it’s.
Pop singer Kat (Jennifer Lopez) is planning an enormous onstage wedding ceremony to her equally profitable boyfriend Bastian (Maluma). Alas, he’s caught dishonest, and in a second of insanity she spots a face within the crowd holding a “Marry me” signal and does simply that. The fan seems to be amiable instructor Charlie (Owen Wilson), a divorced father who’s clueless however sympathetic to her plight.
There’s no hiding the impulsiveness of the act, however Kat asks Charlie to spend time together with her and act like they’re attempting to make the connection work. Naturally, sparks fly. Kat is humorous and considerate beneath the glitz, whereas Charlie is so unfailingly admiring of her and so clearly good that he’s irresistible. All the remaining you possibly can predict.
Director Kat Coiro typically appears to be like like she’s about to say one thing sharp about fame, or commerce, or loneliness, however the story by no means fairly will get there. The movie’s been retooled from its comic-book origins (it’s primarily based on an ‘on-line graphic novel’ by Bobby Crosby) to extra intently replicate Lopez’s personal historical past and really public relationship historical past, which provides a pleasant diploma of resonance, however once more, there’s no nuance about her character’s work, simply capers with cute youngsters and the easy assurance that there’s substance behind the fashion.
Nonetheless, even with that caveat and a dragging tempo within the third act, that is likeable. It’s properly shot, properly solid and gently amusing in the best way of most shiny romcoms. John Bradley is enjoyable as Kat’s devoted supervisor, and the unconventional setting for the finale is a intelligent mirror-image of the beginning. With a catchy soundtrack and people two wildly charismatic leads, even within the movie’s weakest moments you possibly can simply observe Charlie’s instance, and stare slack-jawed at J.Lo as she kills it.
