Universal Pictures’ new action-comedy film, Love Hurts, marks the directorial debut of Jonathan Eusebio, who has extensive experience in creating exciting action sequences. As a seasoned stunt coordinator, his notable work includes films like Black Panther, The Fall Guy and the John Wick franchise. His expertise is evident in the intense choreography, dynamic camera work and engaging editing that he employs throughout the film.
Eusebio balances the violence with comedic moments, ensuring the audience remains entertained. The cinematography enhances the action, making it feel more intense without being jarring. The action scenes are the standout aspect of this movie.
Love Hurts introduces Marvin Gable, played by the legendary Ke Huy Quan. Marvin is a carefree realtor who loves baking cookies for his open houses and co-workers. He runs a successful real estate business and is passionate about his work. There is a heartwarming sequence in the beginning where he shows houses to couples, which I found to be wholesome.
The film quickly sets up Marvin’s dilemma when a cryptic Valentine’s Day card arrives just before he heads into his office. Mustafa Shakir plays The Raven, a hitman waiting to take Marvin down. The ensuing fight sequence raises questions about Marvin’s fighting techniques and history.
As the story unfolds, Marvin continues to be attacked by a series of hitmen. The characters King, played by Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch, and Otis, portrayed by André Eriksen, provide significant comedic relief while attempting to capture Marvin. They work for Marvin’s brother, known as Knuckles (Daniel Wu), who wants Marvin brought to him for sparing the life of Rose, played by Ariana DeBose.
We learn that Marvin was once a hitman for his brother. He fell in love with Rose and, despite her stealing money from Knuckles, chose to let her live so she could start anew.
As the remainder of the movie unfolds, Knuckles and his group of henchmen relentlessly pursue Rose and Marvin, driven by their desire for revenge. Their schemes involve a series of intricate plans and confrontations, showcasing their determination to capture the duo and settle the score for past grievances.
The standout performance in the film was undoubtedly by Ke Huy Quan. I was interested in seeing this movie because it marked his first starring role. He had previously appeared as a supporting actor in Everything Everywhere All at Once, for which he won an Academy Award. Most famously, he was a child star in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies. As a nod to the latter, Sean Astin also appears in this movie as a minor character and mentor to Marvin. That was a nice touch, although Astin’s character feels somewhat underutilized and random.
Quan makes for an excellent leading man and is quick on his feet during the fight scenes. The stunts, reminiscent of Jackie Chan’s fighting style, create an exciting experience for the viewer. I love the charm and charisma that Quan brings to the screen; you can’t help but adore him.
The comedy and slapstick humor are very effective; the entire theater is full of laughter at specific points. Additionally, several of the kills elicited huge reactions from the audience. I’m eager for people to see one specific kill involving a well-known real estate celebrity. It was so shocking that I had to cover my mouth in surprise! They went there, and it was pretty epic. Plus, there were a couple of deaths by a boba straw, and I thought that was pretty clever.
I appreciate how the Valentine’s Day theme is consistently woven throughout the film. There are candy hearts and heart-shaped cookies, and Quan’s character wears a sweater adorned with hearts. Additionally, many scenes towards the end are drenched in neon pink. I enjoy it when a movie maintains its theme so well. Producer David Leitch also worked on Violent Night, another action-packed holiday film with a twist of violence, so he has experience in this genre.
The movie falls short in several important areas, particularly concerning the underdevelopment of side characters and a lackluster climax, which is disappointing for an action film. I was initially confused about the origins of The Raven and the character of Rose. Eventually, I had to accept that these characters existed without fully understanding their purpose. This feeling applied to most of the cast, except for Marvin.
While Rose is explained more as the plot progresses, I didn’t connect with her character. She was my least favorite character in the film and one of the main ones. The chemistry between her and Marvin felt nonexistent, which diminished the romantic aspect of the film. After all, what is Valentine’s Day without a bit of love? Her performance didn’t convince me, and I’m not sure why that was the case. It could have been a miscasting, but it didn’t work for me.
The third act is packed with exhilarating action sequences, but the plot’s climax ultimately falls flat. The showdown with the “final boss” felt anticlimactic; despite the high stakes and intense buildup, the encounter lacked the epic scale and thrilling intensity I had anticipated. I expected a confrontation that would leave me on the edge of my seat, yet it seemed to miss the mark, failing to capture the energy and excitement the preceding events promised.
Although the runtime of 83 minutes is appropriate, I think the ending felt abrupt.
I rate Love Hurts two-and-a-half out of five stars. The film is visually impressive, boasting solid cinematography and expertly choreographed fight sequences that keep the adrenaline pumping. The soundtrack adds to the experience, featuring an eclectic mix of upbeat tracks that cleverly weave in a Valentine’s Day theme.
However, while the action scenes are undeniably entertaining, the film lacks character development and plot depth. The characters feel one-dimensional, and the storyline lacks the complexity to elevate it beyond just a typical action flick.
For avid action movie fans, Love Hurts offers an enjoyable escape and is worth seeing in theaters with a bucket of popcorn. Conversely, if you’re more of a casual viewer, wait for it to be available on your preferred streaming platform, where you can enjoy it at your leisure.