By: Amanda Guarragi
Love is definitely in the air and it comes with some very illogical choices. If you’re a fan of romantic comedies, you know that each one has something unique to set it apart from the rest while still using the same conventions. What works, even more, is when the rom-com is very self-aware of the story they’re telling; no matter how unconventional it may be. Many people are turned off by the genre because of the word romance, but this genre teaches you all about self-love, relationships (platonic/romantic), and of course how to love. In the new Jennifer Lopez rom-com, Marry Me directed by Kat Coiro we see what love truly is and how to keep fighting for it no matter how old you are.
We meet Pop superstar Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez), who is about to get married before an audience of her loyal fans. However, seconds before the ceremony, she learns about her fiancée’s cheating ways and has a meltdown on stage. In a moment of inspired insanity, Kat locks eyes with a total stranger, named Charlie (Owen Wilson) in the crowd and marries him on the spot. Even though Charlie is a boring math teacher and Kat is a music icon, they both have something the other needs. Which is what makes their dynamic so fun to watch. Their relationship blossoms naturally because the person you think you need (given your status) is not necessarily the person you’ll connect with the most. Coiro shows the importance of actually connecting with the person you’re in a relationship with, even if it’s the safe choice.
We’ve all made mistakes when it comes to relationships. Many of us have failed time and time again, but the important thing that Kat taught us in this film, is to never give up on love. Relationships are kind of like math problems, sometimes things don’t always add up, but ultimately, trying is the most rewarding part. Even though Lopez and Wilson seem like the most unlikely pairing, they are both incredibly charming and help ground the crazy gimmick. What I loved the most about this is that Lopez went back to her roots and truly shined. This story was perfect for her and it felt like she was in her element again. Even the soundtrack for the film has great songs that can be listened to on repeat. You have the superstar persona with Lopez and then the homey dad vibe with Wilson. They both complimented each other quite well.
Marry Me is sweet, heart-warming and has a wonderful Jennifer Lopez performance. Even though she rocks that diva persona, she is still very much grounded in who she is and where she came from. You can see how genuine she is in this film as Kat and how connected she is to the character. This fit her like a glove and it’s just such a fun time. This movie is a reminder that we need more studio comedies; no matter what sub-genre they are because that is what the market is lacking. We need these movies more than we care to admit because there isn’t enough love and laughter being spread around. People still need these films to distract themselves and bask in the warmth of it all. Romantic comedies will always be lovely and fun to watch.
Candid Cinema 