LOVE HURTS
Starring: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Marshawn “Beastmode” Lynch, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, André Eriksen, and Sean Astin
Director: Jonathan Eusebio
ADRIANO
There's something shamefully enjoyable about Love Hurts despite me being able to acknowledge that it's a terrible movie…and this movie is horrible. The story is needlessly convoluted, the action (while well-choreographed) is poorly filmed, it's way too short to feel anything, and I didn't buy a second of the film's central romance. If it wasn't for Ke Huy Quan's charm, this might have been unwatchable; however, he almost single handedly reminded me of the action films I loved as a kid that I'm sure I'd now think suck if I watched them today. For that, it gets brownie points from me.
BODE
The concept of Ke Huy Quan getting his own John Wick-style action vehicle (courtesy of the 87North team) is an exciting one on paper, which is why it’s disappointing that Love Hurts doesn’t fully live up to its potential. Despite some well-choreographed action sequences (first-time director Jonathan Eusebio comes from the world of stunts), a few genuinely funny moments, and the best efforts of Quan and his co-stars, none of these aspects are able to properly mask how sloppily assembled the film is, script-wise. The fact that it’s only 83 minutes, however, means the heartbreak is at least short-term.
BRYAN
Despite a charming Ke Huy Quan at the forefront, Love Hurts fails to deliver on all fronts. The film fails to present a compelling romance, exciting action set pieces or gut-busting humor - the things we are searching for in an action romantic comedy. With 83 minutes under its belt, the momentum was lost in the sauce and by the time any ounce of it appeared, the film was already over. A massive disappointment, especially with this being Quan’s first leading role in his 40-year long career. There’s definitely an enjoyable film here, but it struggles to give that to its audience.
AMARÚ
After both of their Oscar winning performances, Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose’s joint follow-up, Love Hurts, left me wondering why they even took this film. It’s too serious to have the self-referential fun both actors are trying to have, but too poorly written and haphazardly edited to be taken seriously. Every scene plays like a throwaway from better R-rated action comedies, either moving the plot forward with no explanation or being exposition-riddled for no reason. The only people who knew what kind of movie this should have been are André Eriksen and Marshawn Lynch. By the end, I only watched so I wouldn’t get fined.
