Few movies are aptly titled Love Hurts: You might want to love it, but soon realize it won’t reciprocate. Ke Huy Quan, who made a splash in Everything Everywhere All at Once, returns from retirement to headline this odd rom-com with an action twist, set against the backdrop of a chaotic Valentine’s Day theme. Alongside him, Oscar-winner Ariana DeVos (West Side Story) trails in a film that critics aren’t exactly embracing. Seems like another disappointment is added to the tally for this film!
Love Hurts: Stream or Skip?
Key Points: The film kicks off with Quan’s narration, but quickly reveals a plot that’s far from simple or straightforward. He plays Marvin Gable, a cheerful real estate agent known for his charming demeanor. His boss, Cliff (Shawn Asin), adores him, and Marvin even goes so far as to bake heart-shaped cookies for the office on Valentine’s Day. Little do they know, beneath that facade, he’s a skilled martial artist with a dark past—having been a cold-blooded hitman for his brother, Knuckles (Daniel Wu).
Years ago, Marvin was ordered to eliminate Rose (DeVos)—not out of love, but to allow her to escape. He turned his back on his criminal life, hoping to build a new, happier existence. Now, Rose’s unexpected return stirs up complications, especially for Marvin, who isn’t exactly keen on rekindling old ties, particularly with those like her.
As Marvin attempts to sell houses amid cookie-cutter suburbs, he grapples with threats from Knuckles’ goons. He finds himself facing an assassin dubbed Raven (Mustafa Shaquil), while teaming up with partners King (Marshawn Lynch) and Otis (Andre Eriksen). There’s a motley crew of supporting characters, including Knuckles’ loyal assistant (Cam Gigandet), a cynical accountant (Rhys Derby), and Ashley (Rior Tipton), who has her own peculiar infatuation with Raven. The mix leads to chaotic fight scenes, complicating Marvin’s efforts to bury his violent past.
What movies does that remind you of?: Directed by Jonathan Eusebio, it feels reminiscent of classic Jackie Chan films, infused with a unique style.
Performance worth watching: Quan lights up the screen, both on and off camera, but the film doesn’t fully utilize his considerable talents.
Memorable conversation:
Exchanges between ex-lovers:
Marvin: I’ve changed, Rose.
Rose: No, I haven’t. You’re just hiding.
Sex and Skin: None.
Our Take: Love Hurts occasionally shines with well-executed fight choreography, a strong suit of Eusebio’s. Yet, it suffers from what feels like an overcrowded narrative. The colorful cast muddles the story. Quan’s role feels off, akin to casting Elmo as a villain. DeVos, conversely, feels like an afterthought, introduced merely to add star power.
A stronger script could have better showcased the potential of these talented Oscar winners. The plot, if you can call it that, doesn’t provide much substance. Eusebio seems to have prioritized intense action sequences over creating a cohesive narrative. Notably, there are moments where the film’s inner workings are obvious yet confusing, such as when Quan awkwardly states, “Knuckles promised to kill Rose to set me free.” It’s a glaring disconnect in the plot.
But, I imagine you might be wondering, “Action’s fun, right?” Sure, but while Eusebio crafts engaging fight scenes that lack blood, they ultimately feel hollow, especially when set against Barry White’s romantic tunes. It’s a strange mix—attempting to portray a love story that fails to evoke any genuine emotion. In many ways, the film feels like a missed opportunity. Quan definitely deserves a better project.
Our Call: Pass on this one.
