MARRY ME (2022) 

Marry Me is a 2022 romantic comedy that seems to reflect back on the good ole days of the early ‘00s, delivering heavy on the cheesy romantic cliches and less so on the comedy. An immensely adorable romance starring the unlikely duo of Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez (reminiscent of the sincere chemistry between Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron in 2019’s Long Shot). 

 

Focusing on a celebrity power couple, Kat Valdez and Bastian, who’s plans to get married are derailed due to a cheating scandal moments before the marriage is meant to take place. In shock, Kat notices a “fan” in the audience (Owen Wilson’s Charlie) holding a sign with “Marry Me” written and offers her hand in marriage to the stranger. What originally seems like a publicity stunt or a mental breakdown to the general public and her manager Collin (John Bradley) she surprises everyone by deciding to continue to be “married” to the man she just met, at least for a limited time.

 

With Kat Valdez being a pop icon to many, the film decides to show off several of hers and Bastian’s music and it’s unfortunate to say that for a film that makes it such a key part of who these characters are – apart from the final song, ‘On My Way’ every other song is disposable. What’s not disposable however is the wonderful variety of side characters – namely Sarah Silverman’s Parker (Charlie’s best friend), Chloe Coleman’s Lou (Charlie’s daughter) and John Bradley’s Collin (Kat’s manager). While Lopez and Wilson may be on screen delivering the charm, these three lift the film up with some great comedic as well as sincere beats. 

 

Capturing the heart of the films like Maid in Manhattan (2002) and The Wedding Planner (2001) in a modern setting, Marry Me may be unremarkable in it’s storytelling but the unlikely coupling of Wilson and Lopez makes for chemistry you would not expect. Honestly they’ve struck gold (possibly silver) delivering a comforting feature that sinks its teeth into the nostalgia of a genre that’s been seemingly absent apart from a few gems here and there.