Hailing from a 1st-time director in Jonathan Eusebio, Love Hurts shines brightest with creative action sequences led by spry Ke Huy Quan (last seen in Loki season 2). Unfortunately, the only other positives in the film are Marshawn Lynch‘s ability to land comedy blows and a Goonies reunion.
Love Hurts overview
Quan takes on the role of Marvin Gable, a budding realtor in Milwaukee. Gable is a ray of sunshine trying to raise his depressed assistant, Ashley’s (Lio Tipton), spirit and create a warm environment for those seeking a new home.
However, Gable’s past comes back to haunt him. Gable was a heavy for his brother Alvin “Knuckles” Gable (Daniel Wu), but fell in love with a thief, Rose Carlisle (Ariana DeBose). After refusing to execute Rose, he starts a new life as a realtor. Rose returns to town and is no longer content with running. Gable must choose between his new life and facing his past.
Flight or Fight
Quan does a terrific job in the action sequences and shines as the realtor version of Marvin. However, there isn’t a hint of darkness below the surface, which hurts his believability as an enforcer. I
n many ways, Love Hurts feels like a Jackie Chan-style film. Marvin spends a lot of action sequences on the receiving end of abuse but usually gains the upper hand by using his environment.
There’s not much chemistry between DeBose and Quan. However, the film’s brisk runtime doesn’t give them enough time to dive into the relationship. There are flashbacks, but these only show Marvin’s decision to spare Rose and never explore how or why they fell for each other.
DeBose is acceptable in the film, but Rose is another one-note, fierce character who shows little vulnerability, which makes the romance tough to buy.
Love Hurts lynchpin
One of the strongest storylines in the film is the partnership between two of Knuckles’s henchmen, King (Lynch) and Otis (André Eriksen).
Their back and forth is amusing throughout the film. Since this film is set around Valentine’s Day, Otis’s marital issues and King’s advice on patching things up are fun.
In a film with two Oscar winners, Lynch is the standout in this film. His comedic timing and physical presence stand out. Opposite of the considerably smaller Quan, confrontations between the two make for some brutal action moments.
Touch of the poet
Then, there’s the worst storyline in Love Hurts. In Marvin’s first skirmish, he fights with a former rival of his, Raven (Mustafa Shakir). Marvin escapes and leaves an unconscious Raven back at his office.
Ashley enters Marvin’s office. Instead of calling the cops, she notices a small notebook on the floor full of poems and instantly falls in love with this giant assassin. Ashley’s response to his poetry also moves Raven, and a love story begins. This storyline is awful.
Goonies reunion
One of the other highlights of Love Hurts is the on-screen reunion between Quan and his Goonies castmate, Sean Astin. It’s a short cameo for Astin that brings out the best performance out of Quan. Astin plays Marvin’s boss, Cliff Cussick.
Cliff shows up at the office to present an award to Marvin. There’s genuine warmth in the scene as Marvin thanks Cliff for believing in him. Cliff praises Marvin for his growth. The only downside is that there’s not enough screen time for Astin, but it’s a rare bright spot nonetheless.
Love Hurts final thoughts
Overall, Love Hurts shines best with its action sequences but falters elsewhere. Outside of Lynch, the comedy falls flat, the romance fizzles and the darkness the film wants you to believe is inside of Quan never materializes.
