Critics Say Ke Huy Quan Continues To Delight In Love Hurts, But They Have One Big Complaint About The Action Comedy

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As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Ke Huy Quan is experiencing a remarkable comeback after his captivating performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” This once-known child actor now boasts an Academy Award on his list of achievements, opening doors for various opportunities. One such opportunity is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe through “Loki,” and several other projects slated for 2025. The first of these upcoming films is “Love Hurts,” a hilarious action flick sharing the screen with fellow Oscar winner Ariana DeBose. With its theatrical release scheduled for February 7, critics have already had a sneak peek. Let’s find out what they think!

In the film titled “Love Hurts“, ex-hitman-turned-realtor Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan) encounters trouble from his past when his old partner Rose (Ariana DeBose) discloses that Marvin’s brother, crime boss Knuckles (Daniel Wu), intends to harm them. TopMob’s review of “Love Hurts” states that Ke Huy Quan delivers a captivating performance in this role, yet DeBose is frequently sidelined. Despite the actors’ appeal, the film’s action sequences, while entertaining, tend to overshadow their charm. Eric Eisenberg awards it 2.5 out of 5 stars, noting that it is an engaging, but somewhat disappointing movie.

In the genre where ordinary individuals transform into superior fighters, this show stands out with a unique, appealing taste. It’s buoyancy is impressive, largely thanks to its main stars’ charm, but it moves too quickly and leaves certain aspects unexplored. In today’s era of excessive content, I find myself lamenting the lack of depth, as Love Hurts is also too slim to accomplish all that it aims for.

Ke Huy Quan credits Steven Spielberg for inspiring him to take on this particular role. According to David Fear of Rolling Stone, it’s high time for Quan to demonstrate his talents in a leading position. However, Fear finds this action film lacking, stating that watching a talented actor struggle in a poor movie is more painful than love itself. The critic further adds: a great actor like Quan deserves better than being trapped in a mediocre production.

This film featuring Quan appears to be a tired retread of the classic plot where a former assassin is pulled back into the game, but it fails to live up to expectations, no matter how hard Quan tries to breathe life into it. Despite its promising combination of experienced directors, a high-profile title, and Quan’s fresh action persona, the result is more like disorganized commotion disguised as an action movie. Fans of the genre might be justified in filing a lawsuit for deceptive advertising.

Most critics appear to be highly complimentary towards Ke Huy Quan, yet express disappointment that his Academy Award-winning role lacks a more substantial script. A.A. Dowd of IGN grades the film Love Hurts with a 4 out of 10, stating that it fails to push the endearing Quan into a sufficiently sinister character, who was once an assassin. Dowd further explains:

The arrangement of actions is quite skillfully done – it’s no wonder, given that it’s by Jonathan Eusebio, an experienced fight choreographer taking his first step into direction. However, as a comedy, Love Hurts feels rather uninspired; when not relying on stereotypical characters from crime films, it seems to find humor in a naive real estate buyer who happens to have a hidden knack for causing fractures. You’ve encountered this concept in many forms before, and I believe you’ll find more engaging versions elsewhere.

As a passionate fan, I’m sharing Pete Hammond’s perspective from Deadline on the film “Love Hurts.” He commends the cast, especially the leads and supporting actors, for their efforts with the script they were provided. However, according to Hammond, their performances weren’t quite enough to rescue this violent take on Valentine’s Day.

In this movie, Quan makes his debut as the main character and showcases his abilities in martial arts that are reminiscent of Jackie Chan, managing every action scene with panache. His chemistry with co-star DeBose is not strong, but she manages to make the most out of her underdeveloped femme fatale character. Regrettably, this mediocre script does not give justice to their undeniable talents. Shakir’s performance as a vicious hitman transforming into a love-struck puppy is amusing, and it is enjoyable to see Quan’s Goonies co-star, Sean Astin, appear briefly as his real estate mentor.

According to ScreenRant’s Mae Abdulbaki, the film leans towards the “so-bad-it’s-good” category due to its excessive campiness. It’s so absurdly silly, extravagantly over-the-top, and cheesy that Abdulbaki found herself bursting into laughter. The review awards Love Hurts a score of 6 out of 10.

Love Hurts manages to keep audiences entertained despite excessive exposition and intrusive voiceovers from Quan and DeBose, which reveal character thoughts at every turn. The film’s tone, subplots, and even the editing are inconsistent, yet it offers a delightful blend of camp that leaves you giggling in spite of its flaws. It’s a fun brand of bad that I can easily embrace.

If you’re a fan of Ke Huy Quan and are planning to watch his latest film, “Love Hurts,” it might be wise to adjust your expectations somewhat. Although Quan delivers a commendable performance, along with the rest of the cast, many critics seem to feel that the script fails to fully utilize his potential. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the movie can’t be enjoyable. If “Love Hurts” appeals to you, you can catch it in theaters from February 7 onwards.

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2025-02-06 22:37