No. 11 (2022) MARRY ME Feb. 9th.

 

Film No. 11  (2022)  February 9th.  6:45 PM  EVENT CINEMAS,  Cinema 9  Innaloo.

"Dad, you haven't had any fun since Mum left. Say yes!" (Charlie's daughter Lou lays it on the line to convince him to come to the concert with Parker and her. He'd be crazy not to. The film wouldn't have much of a story if he didn't).

Universal  has likely backed a winner here in MARRY ME, having a world wide release, 5 days prior to Valentine's Day, of a film that's not in the league of PRETTY WOMAN or NOTTING HILL, but it has its moments. Enough moments that it will likely recoup its budget, in this, its opening week. 

Like its higher profile predecessors, Marry Me is relevant to contemporary times. The prevalence of social media as a key to highlighting image, dominates the film. Particularly the image of Kat, a world renowned singer and dancer with a profile comparable to the star who plays her, Jennifer Lopez.

The film is based on a graphic novel by Bobby Crosby. Kat is on the verge of marrying Bastian (Maluma), a male star of equal international profile. At their upcoming concert Kat and Bastian will launch their new single, Marry Me. They will then exchange vows and the world will watch and share the pageantry of their marriage ceremony along with the live audience. It's a promoter's dream, and Kat thinks it's her dream as well. 

So what has an everyday, single dad named Charlie (Owen Wilson) got to do with Kat's dream? Lots as it turns out. He's in the audience, near the front, when Kat has second thoughts. Bastian has been filmed being a cad earlier that day. Kat is humiliated and wants instant revenge. From the stage, dressed to wed, Charlie is in her eyeline and you can guess the rest. Silly isn't it? PRETTY WOMAN was a fairy-tale and so is MARRY ME. They rely on the chemistry of the performers to get us invested in the ridiculousness of it all. 

Lopez and Wilson connect well and their side kicks are a scream, particularly Charlie's teacher buddy Parker (Sarah Silverman). There are the usual life lessons along the way; social media appropriateness, stopping to smell the roses, and the importance of family. You've seen it all before, but you'd be disappointed if you didn't see it again in a film like MARRY ME.  8GUMS.