One thought that was creeping by means of my head throughout “Love Hurts” surprisingly brisk 83 (!) minute runtime: I’m so thrilled for Ke Huy Quan.
After his wild Oscar win for Greatest Supporting Actor, Quan entered what I wish to name the “Oscar-to-Blockbuster” portal—a trajectory not far faraway from when Brie Larson headlined “Captain Marvel” after her win for “Room,” or Alicia Vikander’s try at launching a franchise with “Tomb Raider.” It occurs: typically an actor simply must take the paycheck. However that doesn’t imply Quan telephones in his efficiency. Quite the opposite, he’s surprisingly plausible because the “John Wick”-type murderer—busting by means of partitions, taking hits from Marshawn “Beastmode” Lynch, and touchdown a number of strong punches. Oh, and did I point out the film is barely 83 minutes lengthy?
It is a miracle that “Love Hurts” even manages to remain afloat with a script as overstuffed and undercooked as this one, however Quan, in his first main position, makes probably the most of it. He’s joined by fellow Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (who has additionally entered and exited the “Oscar-to-Blockbuster” portal, see “Kraven the Hunter”). Quan, the previous “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” little one star, performs Marvin Gable, a cheerful Milwaukee actual property agent who has constructed a profitable status in his group.
Nevertheless, his flawless picture is threatened when his previous resurfaces after he receives a Valentine’s Day card from Rose (DeBose), a lady he was purported to kill years in the past. Rose had been wrongly accused of embezzling cash from Marvin’s drug lord brother, Knuckles (Daniel Wu, who additionally starred in Tomb Raider with Vikander). Marvin, out of affection for Rose, spared her life and advised her to vanish.
She didn’t take the recommendation, and now she’s again, throwing Marvin’s snug life into disarray and triggering a sequence of occasions that contain a number of intertwining plotlines. Amongst them is a run-in with two bumbling hitmen (considered one of whom is performed by Lynch) and Marvin’s greatest buddy, performed by Quan’s fellow “Goonies” alum, Sean Astin.
Directed by Jonathan Eusebio, with a script by Matthew Murray, Josh Stroddard, and Luke Passmore, “Love Hurts” stands out as one of many uncommon latest motion comedies (sorry, “Argylle”) that doesn’t appear like it was filmed completely in entrance of a inexperienced display screen. The motion is quick, free, and in-your-face, with the filmmakers clearly drawing inspiration from Jackie Chan movies.
Whereas “Love Hurts” by no means reaches the heights of a “Police Story” film, it definitely captures that spirit. Add in some memorable character performances from Mustafa Shakir, Cam Gigandet, and the at all times hilarious Rhys Darby, and also you’ve bought a strong studio image that may doubtless discover a dwelling on late-night cable.
LOVE HURTS is now taking part in in theaters.