Ke Huy Quan Beats Up Bad Guys on Valentine’s Day

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In a side-splitting action-comedy, Love Hurts establishes Ke Huy Quan as the leading man, showcasing his endearing charisma. He finds himself in a predicament where he’s forced to outsmart witty villains armed with knives and poetry while also being Milwaukee’s top real estate agent. On Valentine’s Day, he saves the difficult-to-handle woman of his dreams, all while battling bad guys and leaving them battered. When the storyline thins, a vibrant supporting cast steps in to deliver both punches and laughs. Although Quan and co-star Ariana DeBose don’t share romantic sparks, their chemistry is compensated by unexpected twists in the plot.

On a cheerful note, Quan Marvin whips up a tray of adorable heart-shaped cookies. Before pedaling off on his bike, he puts on his helmet for a journey to a neighboring suburb, where he plans to exhibit his latest property listing. Unfortunately, Marvin isn’t pleased that someone is vandalizing the numerous ads promoting his listings throughout the city – he suspects his main rival, Drew Scott, may be behind it, as they both have properties showcased in the same area.

An Action and Humor Bonanza

In the spirit of winning over potential clients, Marvin dons a friendly facade at Frontier Realty before retiring to his office. His ever-melancholic assistant Ashley (Lio Tipton) delivers his mail as the team rejoices in the festivities of the romantic occasion. To Marvin’s surprise, he receives an enigmatic card from Rose, leaving him puzzled about her intentions. If Knuckles (Daniel Wu), Marvin’s notorious crime lord sibling, were to find out that Rose is still breathing, they could both meet their ends. Unbeknownst to Marvin, his secret is exposed when he enters his office to find a dangerous old associate standing there instead.

In a refreshing twist, Marvin demonstrates a charming, non-confrontational demeanor that endears him to everyone, much like the captivating, diverse energy that made Quan’s characters from Everything Everywhere All at Once so appealing. However, beneath this pleasant exterior lies a relentless warrior who obeyed the commands of the ruthless and commanding Knuckles, leaving a trail of vanquished foes in his wake. Marvin was granted an opportunity to escape his gangster past and embrace an honest life, bringing joy to new homeowners and finding personal satisfaction along the way. The initial introduction convincingly establishes a plausible reason for Marvin’s transformation. Yet, like a dormant tiger, he remains a formidable predator when provoked or forced to protect his territory.

Love Is in the Air with a Fun Supporting Cast

In a different wording: DeBose sparkles on screen as the passionate Rose, yet it’s not due to their simmering chemistry. The challenge lies in Marvin questioning his ability to capture the heart of such an enchanting beauty like Rose, even though he has always safeguarded her. Their paths toward each other are foreseeable and somewhat unrealistic, but it succeeds because they work together harmoniously, much like a reliable sidekick pair. They’re an electrifying soda fizz of excitement, forming a potent duo that dished out justice whenever necessary.

Love Hurts provides a hearty dose of romantic comedy as it unfolds two humorous side plots featuring mismatched couples who stumble upon destiny unknowingly. The standout performances come from Tipton and Mustafa Shakir, the real estate secretary and the misunderstood mercenary, who find themselves sharing similar emotional sentiments. This aspect of the film is particularly endearing and is sure to have viewers laughing out loud. Additionally, there’s the duo of bickering assassins, Otis (André Eriksen) and King (Marshawn Lynch), both pursuing Rose, but offering each other unexpected relationship guidance while wreaking havoc with their machine guns.

A Fun Supporting Cast

The laughter can’t occur without the proper punches first. Love Hurts is packed with intense action, especially bone-crushing ones. Renowned stuntman-turned-director David Leitch (of films like John Wick, Deadpool 2, and Atomic Blonde) guides his protégé Jonathan Eusebio in his first directorial venture. They make the most of Quan’s abilities through intricately designed martial arts sequences, while they let other characters handle the gun and knife fights. Quan has chosen to steer clear of firearms during his career comeback. However, it’s worth noting that Marvin could give a Michelin-starred butcher a run for his money with his slicing and dicing abilities. Quan isn’t completely shying away from weapons, though.

I find myself questioning the rationality of the plot in “Love Hurts”. For instance, why on earth would Marvin keep lingering in the comparatively modest cityscape of Milwaukee when his face is everywhere? It’s equally puzzling as to why Rose wouldn’t flee when she’s clearly Knuckles’ main objective.

The introduction of an additional antagonist feels akin to shoving an extra patty onto a double burger – it doesn’t enhance or hinder the flavor, and could have been left out without significantly altering the overall meal. This character seems redundant; removing him wouldn’t disrupt the narrative flow. Frankly, Marvin has enough unsavory characters to deal with already.

In a consistently dynamic manner, Leitch and Eusebio maintain an energetic rhythm, avoiding monotony. The film Love Hurts zips by swiftly at just 83 minutes long. It’s sparse on unnecessary elements, concentrating primarily on intensifying violence and humor. The filmmakers seem to have a keen understanding of their audience, efficiently meeting their expectations without getting bogged down by complexities in the simple premise. Essentially, if you set Quan on a path to success, gather an excellent cast, their combined skills will compensate for any script weaknesses, ensuring pure entertainment value. This approach is effective and I look forward to seeing more of it in the future escapades of Marvin and Rose.

The film titled “Love Hurts” is a production of 87North. It’s set to hit cinemas on February 7th, distributed by Universal Pictures.

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2025-02-06 20:32