Double Feature Review: Rom-Coms For V-Day
At the risk of sounding like every single commercial that has been developed since the beginning of the pandemic, there is a great deal of uncertainty in the world, and it’s far from comforting. One of the best things about a romantic comedy is that they’re almost always incredibly predictable. Going into it, you know that - hopefully - there will be some form of a happy ending, even when the road getting to said happily ever after can get rocky.
This Valentine’s Day, I’m in need of some media comfort food, and rom-coms have been a go-to for me for years, both in movie and novel form. So if you’re in the same boat as me, I found a couple new releases that can make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, whether you want to go indulge in some popcorn at a theater or curl up on your couch at home.
Marry Me
Starring Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma, John Bradley, Sarah Silverman, Chloe Coleman, Michelle Buteau
Directed by Kat Coiro
PG-13
Run time - 1 hr, 52 min
In theaters and on Peacock February 11, 2022
The second I saw the preview for Marry Me, I knew how it would end, some of the likely bumps that would occur and that I absolutely would be in a movie theater that opening weekend. Since I saw her in Hustlers, I’ve been converted to preaching the gospel of JLo. And not only do we get to see her basically play a version of herself (meaning she, of course, knocked it out of the park in the role), but we get a romantic comedy centered around two people in their fifties (even though Lopez has looked 37 years old for the last decade). Is this movie cheesy? Absolutely. Does it give you all the feels as you watch? Naturally. It has all the elements I require in a romantic comedy, and while Lopez and Wilson may not have the most incredible chemistry I’ve seen in an on-screen couple, they’re both so winning and likable that I was rooting for them the whole time.
Most importantly, since Lopez is playing a pop star, we get some songs from her, and they’ve been stuck in my head since I heard them in the film. What more can you ask for? And said sparkling and talented pop star falls for an endearing, math-teaching single father who just happens to catch her eye in a moment of panic and hurt at a concert. Especially since Owen Wilson’s acting in Loki reminded all of us how easily we can be charmed by him, it’s a winning combination. Unfortunately, this film won’t exactly be racking up the Oscar nominations, but it’s a great watch. It runs about fifteen too minutes long, but if the alternative was cutting one of JLo’s songs, I’ll take the extra minutes of time any day.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Incredibly Adorable Bulldogs
I Want You Back
Starring Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Scott Eastwood, Gina Rodriguez, Manny Jacinto, Clark Backo
Directed by Jason Orley
R
Run time - 1 hr, 51 min
On Amazon Prime February 11, 2022
Based on nothing but cast alone, I had high hopes for this Amazon Prime rom-com. We get Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Gina Rodriguez and Manny Jacinto, all incredible comedy talents, and then we have the eye candy in the form of Scott Eastwood, who actually seemed way less wooden and more relaxed than I had seen him in any of his other roles. It’s the perfect combination of ridiculous, romantic, frustrating and hilarious. When two people who work in the same building are simultaneously mourning the end of their respective relationships in the stairwell, they bond and decide to help each other get their true loves back. Some hijinks ensue, as one would expect, and there are some turns along this path that make it not quite as cut and dry as the two jilted exes would have hoped. But what is the true happy ending: reuniting with the old or jumping in to the new?
Just like I felt with Marry Me, I Want You Back’s runtime was a bit too long. (I think I’ve decided the perfect length of a rom-com is 95 minutes.) Other than that, there isn’t too much I could really find to nitpick like I so often can with movies. It may not be the best choice if you’re struggling getting over your own breakup (or maybe it is! you do you!) or single-dom, but it’s a more unique take on a trope that could have otherwise seemed tired. I am hoping this begins the trend we all need in our lives, which is more Manny Jacinto in movies, especially a romantic comedy. He stole every scene he was in, just like he did when we all fell in love with him on The Good Place.