Director: Kat Coiro

Story By: John Rogers, Tami Sagher, & Harper Dill (adapted from Bobby Crosby)

Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Sara Silverman, John Bradley, Michelle Bureau, Chloe Coleman, & Maluma

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I think I’ve said this before, but I do love a rom-com (which is odd because I’m not as lovey-dovey in real life…so maybe that’s the point? The Fantasy? LOL). Anyway, this was cute, and I’m glad it was streamable…as it should’ve been. 

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Theme: A

Plot & Story: A-

Pacing: A-

Character: A-

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Entertainment Factors

General Public: Interesting Enough

Film Enthusiasts: Don’t Watch

Experience Seekers (via Visuals & Score): Don’t Watch

Rom-Com Fans: Interesting Enough

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TAKEAWAYS:

1. This was a pretty long love story, I must admit. I really didn’t feel the nearly 120 minutes, but I definitely recognized the pivot to the second hour. But for the most part, the film utilizes its cuteness well with the pacing. Nothing felt too rushed story wise, but maybe a little rushed in terms of theme and character continuity. 🤷🏾‍♂️

2. Every comment Michelle’s character made about Owen’s character… I was thinking the same thing 😂😂😂🤷🏾‍♂️

3. Baby, Listen… Maluma! UGH! #Swoon

4. Alright for Charlie into the chocolate 😂😂😜

5. Seeing Jennifer and Owen together fluctuated between cute chemistry and awkwardness, but I also admittedly wonder if that had to do with: a. The fact that I don’t particularly find Owen Wilson attractive, b. That it was him vs Maluma (ol’ fine ass), c. When compared to Jennifer’s list of yt male love interests in films…he’s the odd one, & d. When compared to Jennifer’s actually real life marriages…he’s the odd one…

AAAND / BUT… this also worked in the favor of character interest. I’ll say more about this in my quick though on the plot, but hearing other key characters make comments that were exactly what I was thinking about our main characters made me invest in them because I wasn’t alone in my feelings (LOL). So in terms of likability, it was a win. 

HOWEVER… I do wish the film would’ve utilized the opening credit scenes in a fun way to actually lay some groundwork for not only Kat as a celebrity, but also Kat’s failed relationship past since it was a big part of her character development vs using so much dialogue and background noise to fill in the blanks across the film. 

The first thought that comes to mind is how the movie Now and Then starts (I believe) where there’s a track playing, and the screen shows a series of pictures of the girls overtime growing into themselves. In this case, the film could’ve had a series of marriage photos then tabloids about the failures leading up to the current one with Bastian before fading into the present where we see Kat walking past a tv screen of news covering the main event of Act One—preparing for the Kat and Bastian’s concert where they will sing their hot new duet before tying the knot… 🤔🤷🏾‍♂️

6. The low-key standout was Tank. 😩🙌🏾

7. I will say… JLo was SIIIIIINGING on that On My Way track. 👍🏾👍🏾

8. Come Thru PEORIA (My hometown LOL). 🙌🏾

9. The strongest message to come across for me is, “Sometimes we can find real love if we take a detour off the path we normally follow.” Act One makes this clear via the happenings in Kat’s life and her moment on stage. Though I still think more could’ve been done in Act One to really showcase the need for a detour. 

Act Two is where space is made for these characters to cruise in the detour and really get to know one another and assess what the relationship is/could be. 

Act Three gives a pretty predictable tension, but ultimately comes full circle with the message.👍🏾

10. Marry Me tells the story of a superstar who seemingly has bad luck finding and holding on to love deciding to commit to a spontaneous (and almost rebound-ish) choice-moment, fueled by hurt and disappointment, marrying a thought-to-be fan at her concert.

Act One doesn’t do the best job of giving us a background to Kat to fully support the theme, even though the written idea of Kat definitely gave more than just looks, entertainment, and marriage. And though I appreciated the balance of learning about both main characters, I think more time taken away from Charlie in order to give a sense of the woman he would eventually find himself unexpectedly “marrying” would’ve been a more interesting move. The moment that stands out because it feels so odd (though cute) was in the second hour when Charlie gives Kat “a challenge…” So you mean to tell me she really was that “lost/confused?” If so, then why? Use Act One to show this aspect to Kat’s character. I did enjoy Charlie’s moments in Act One, though. They were very charming which at least gave audiences an idea of what Kat could expect by taking the detour.

Act Two is the cutest of the Acts, and the strongest theme connection because it focuses on seeing our “arrangement” really enjoy one another. It was also awkward at times because of point #5, but that was just me… LOL 

Act Three closes the story out well with the theme in more ways that one—dialogue, character perspective, and even the setting. It also does a good job with giving Kat some conflicting tension… although, there was something a little off about how Kat’s “motivations” and “interests” seemed to shift so fast with an opportunity, which is why I feel more space should’ve been given to Kat’s superstardom background in Act One. 🤷🏾‍♂️

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Overall #MarryMe gives Empire meets – the early courting and media frenzy of Prince Charles and Princess Diana meets – the journal of Jennifer Lopez’s life – meets Notting Hill  

I will say, I smiled for most of the movie, and I appreciated how this film seemed to poke jabs at both stars—JLo and her track record of relationships in this industry, and the mixed feelings about Owen’s attractiveness. I will also add that this film is definitely charming because the leads are naturally charming individuals, BUT I am glad I didn’t have to pay for this in theaters…it did border on A Disney Original All Grown Up…