The Marry Me movie isn’t remotely perfect, but it’s incredibly easy to love. And that’s a fact, universally acknowledged, for all romantic comedies starring Jennifer Lopez. If nothing else, you appreciate it. It might be too farcical at times, and it might try too hard, but it’s delightful, nevertheless. It even comes with a catchy soundtrack that’s available to stream everywhere.
When a public wedding goes array after Kat Valdez’s (Lopez) fiance Bastian (Maluma) is caught cheating on her, she chooses to accept a marriage proposal by Charlie (Owen Wilson) (who was merely attending for his friend and daughter). See, it’s completely ridiculous. None of this should be believable, and if you know anything about me, you know that the famous person and an ordinary person trope is seldom my jam, with the exception of HBO’s Starstruck.
Still, it’s delightful through and through, and if you’re a sap like me, the second half of the film might even make you cry a bit. As Kat and Charlie agree to get to know each other, they learn the most about themselves in true romantic comedy fashion while effortlessly bringing out the best in each other.
Marry Me focuses on the believable perils of a renowned person’s life, and while it’s too on the nose at times, it still feels incredibly authentic, which could very well be due to the heart Lopez always brings to the roles she’s embodying. She isn’t just an astounding performer on stage, but her ability to escape into a role, even if it potentially mirrors her own life, is no small feat, and it’s something that we should admire.
There’s also much to be said about how the musical performances throughout feel organic to the plot, including one during a classroom setting. Kat’s presence doesn’t just help Charlie come out of his shell, but it helps his daughter Lou (Chloe Coleman) find her confidence amidst nerves and anxiousness. There’s a light she brings to each of their lives, and it’s that very light that evolves into the film’s warmth. In the kind of presence that she is around others, she finds much of her joy in the way they treat her.
Again, Marry Me isn’t a perfect film. There are parts that I’d personally change to match my personal romantic comedy preferences, but the cast is delightful, and everything they bring to the table works to create something worth watching at least once.
The chemistry and gradual buildup between Lopez’s Kat and Wilson’s Charlie are lovely for how well it leads to a learning process for both of them in the aftermath of realizing that their lives could be so much more with the other person besides them. The film is about second chances, starting from a place that’s grounded in trust, and realizing that a single person isn’t defined by anything but the choices they make in their lives. There’s even an airport scene, and if you’re a fan of those, this is one is particularly hilarious.
Marry Me Movie is now streaming on Peacock! What are your thoughts on the film? Let us know in the comments below.