‘Love Hurts’ Review: Ke Huy Quan in a Valentine’s-Themed Action Thriller Not Worth Swooning Over

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The poster for “Love Hurts” depicts an intimidating Ke Huy Quan gazing straight into the lens, dressed in a charming sweater adorned with hearts, amidst a whirlwind of Valentine’s Day confections. This image beautifully captures the contrasts inherent in the latest production from 87North, the studio renowned for action movies starring unexpected talents like Bob Odenkirk (“Nobody”) and David Harbour, who portrays an action-packed Santa Claus in “Violent Night.

It seems the company struggles to cast the Oscar-winning actor from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as a formidable character. Despite his remarkable martial arts skills, Quan fails to exude toughness, even with his hair slicked back and a mustache in the flashbacks. He’s certainly endearing, but not intimidating.

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The company finds it challenging to project the Oscar-winning actor from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as a tough character. His fighting abilities are impressive, but he doesn’t come across as menacing, even when sporting slicked-back hair and a mustache in flashbacks. He’s adorable, not fearsome.

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The company has difficulty portraying the Oscar-winning actor from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as a tough guy. While he possesses impressive fighting skills, Quan lacks an imposing presence, even when dressed up with slicked-back hair and a mustache in the flashbacks. He’s sweet, not scary.

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The company struggles to present the Oscar-winning actor from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” as a tough figure. Despite having impressive fighting skills, Quan doesn’t give off a tough vibe, even when he’s wearing his hair slicked back and has a mustache in flashbacks. He’s lovable, but not intimidating.

The film, despite boasting some impressive fight sequences, such as one in a kitchen where nearly every tool becomes a potential weapon, seems to prioritize humor over action. However, the humor, scripted by Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard and Luke Passmore, falls flat, providing more cringeworthy moments than laughs.

Initially, the main character appears to be an ordinary suburban man and a successful real estate agent with a kind heart, as he not only offers cookies to clients but also shares them with everyone in the office. However, much like how Odenkirk’s family man was secretly a ruthless assassin in the series “Better Call Saul,” Quan’s character Marvin Gable is later uncovered to be a former hitman who had worked for his older brother, a crime boss named Knuckles, portrayed by Daniel Wu.

Marvin’s old history catches up with him when he gets enigmatic Valentine messages from an ex-accomplice, Rose (renowned actress Ariana DeBose), who is now more of a poseur than an actor. This past issue takes a painful turn as it resurfaces in the form of The Raven (Mustafa Shakir), a lethal assassin skilled in knife and blade combat, who unexpectedly appears at Marvin’s office, seeking Rose – who had been believed to be deceased.

Let’s kick off the intense action as Rose reappears, teaming up with Marvin to evade Knuckles’ ruthless henchmen. The crew includes King (ex-NFL star Marshawn “Beastmode” Lynch), Otis (Andre Eriksen), and Renny (Cam Gigandet), whose witty exchanges hint at a touch of Tarantino-esque humor. Meanwhile, Otis engages in a battle of wits with Knuckles’ other adversary, Marvin’s benevolent boss (Sean Astin, collaborating once more with Quan after 40 years since The Goonies). In this confrontation, Knuckles showcases his lethal abilities with an ordinary boba straw.

In spite of its many action sequences, the film’s humor takes center stage, notably with the unexpected romance blossoming between the enigmatic Raven, who showcases an unexpectedly tender, artistic persona, and Ashley (Lio Tipton), Marvin’s quirky aide. Over time, romantic feelings ignite not only for the Raven and Ashley but also for Marvin and Rose. It’s best not to delve into the complexities of their relationship. At several instances throughout the film, we hear thoughts from different characters, almost as if they were in a heartfelt TV advertisement.

Apart from the impressive fight scenes, nothing else in the movie seems particularly effective. However, these action sequences, expertly crafted by debut director Jonathan Eusebio along with his skilled team of veteran stunt and fight coordinators, truly shine. They allow Quan, who possesses a wealth of experience in stunt and fight choreography, to showcase his exceptional talents.

In this movie, the 53-year-old actor delivers an impressive performance, though some of the action may appear unrealistic. The fighting scenes are fast-paced and comedic, lacking the intense, visceral punch found in films like John Wick or Nobody. It’s no shock that the final fight is set to Barry White singing a love ballad.

Quan’s charm and cuteness make it hard for the audience to believe he was ever or is currently tough. The movie tries to address this by showing most of his fights as defensive and having him suffer more than a person realistically could, but it still feels like Woody Allen is suddenly engaging in medieval combat while courting Annie Hall.

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Quan’s irresistible charm undermines his portrayal as a rough and tough character. The film attempts to compensate by depicting most of his fights defensively and showing him taking excessive punishment, but it’s still reminiscent of Woody Allen unexpectedly engaging in medieval combat while romancing Annie Hall.

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Quan’s adorable demeanor weakens the impression that he is or was a tough guy. The movie compensates by making most of his fights defensive and having him take more damage than any human could reasonably handle, but it still feels like Woody Allen has suddenly become a knight in a medieval battle while courting Annie Hall.

The odd mix of action, romance, and slapstick humor in the movie “Love Hurts” doesn’t quite hit the mark in any category. However, it offers a somewhat awkward enjoyment with the surprising scene of one of the Property Brothers being fatally shot.

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2025-02-06 20:25