Love Hurts

Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan) seems to be a simple successful real estate agent. His past crush Rose Carlisle (Ariana DeBose) comes back into his life and it is quite a past.

I really wanted to love this for Ke Huy Quan. In the end, I cannot proclaim this although he is not the problem. Basically, he is the same guy as always and with a moustache, he is an evil assassin. This movie is trying to be some sort of fun action thriller. The characters are all cardboard cutouts. Ariana DeBose can do better. Maybe it's not the page. The action is fine, but I got bored with it to the point zoning out a couple of times. That's even with a quick running time.

What surprised me most about this movie is that it was released in cinemas instead of straight to a streaming service. The movie is the same as a thousand other action movies released in the last 15 years, the only difference is the actors on screen

One Man Army who no longer wants to fight - Check Hitman who is really a kind hearted person - Check Female major character who is both the love interest and looks good while kicking butt - Check Quirky side characters who talk nonsense that is supposed to sound cool - Check Main Bad Guy who is controlled with bouts of super violence - Check Highly Choreographed Action Scenes where everyone gets punched, stabbed, shot and smashed but are still able to fight with no signs of injury - Check

Ke Huy Quan is adorable as heck, but at no point does he seem like he could hurt anyone.

If you want a quick 90 minute action movie where you don't have to follow a fancy plot then you will probably enjoy this movie.

Ariana DeBose seems to forget she's in a movie at times and stops acting, and it looks horrible.

This film doesn't take itself too seriously, and nor should you. I was looking forward to seeing Ke Huy Quan in his own action film (gotta support a Goonie!) and this film def delivered on creatively choreographed action sequences. The lighting and framing throughout gave the film a bit of a comic book feel. The plot was simple but the writing was a let down. The main antagonist's story wasn't very clear and it relies on a lot of inner monologues to explain what's going on, which was distracting. It hopped around quite a bit and wasn't very cohesive. It felt like lazy writing just to get a Valentine's film out. This film is entirely supported by several key cast members (two of which have Oscar's). But if you go in expecting 1.5 hrs of a camp romp punctuated by impressively choreographed fight scenes, with a couple notable cameos, I think you'll still have fun with this silly, fun movie. I hope KHQ gets more action films as a main character because he's brilliant when he's allowed to shine.

Set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan) is seemingly a successful realtor who will help you find your dream home. However, following an encounter with an assassin known as the Raven (Mustafa Shakir), Marvin finds his new life under threat from his old one as the re-emergence of his last kill, Rose (Ariana DeBose), whom he didn't actually kill puts him on a collision course with his estranged gangster brother Alvin "Knuckles" Gable (Daniel Wu).

Love Hurts is the latest genre film from 87North Productions, better known for their production of the John Wick series of films that helped redefine modern action cinema. The film marks Ke Huy Quan's first lead role following his Oscar winning comeback in Everything Everywhere All at Once and while I think Quan is perfectly capable of headlining a film like this, I just wish it were a more interesting one.

While Quan doesn't have the richest role as Marvin, I will say that there is sort of a meek charm at watching this small unassuming realtor unleash martial arts fury upon hoards of would be assassins. If Jackie Chan (at his peak anyway) could be described as Buster Keaton with martial arts, Quan's style is more akin to Harold Lloyd where there's a bit more of an edge to the disaster prone hi-jinks. Honestly during the opening 20 minutes I didn't really understand why the movie had been so panned by critics as some of the physical comedy seemed on point and the fight scenes had the typical 87North quality....but then the movie started to lose me. Running at only 87 minutes long the movie isn't unaware of what it is and gets right to the point, but that's kind of part of the problem as there isn't a lot of time spent developing character or setting up the circumstances.

When you compare Love Hurts to 87North's other comedic action film Nobody which had a solid and efficient first act establishing the mid-life stagnation of Bob Odenkirk's character that set up effective contrast to the more outlandish elements later on, Love Hurts dives in way too fast and we don't really get a chance to know the characters beyond the surface level. The movie encounters further issues with Ariana DeBose' Rose and the actions taken by her character which the movie tries to frame as being for Marvin's benefit but because we never took time to establish Marvin's life we don't know that and it seems like she's nuking his new life because "why not?". The movie per its title also tries to paint itself as a romantic unconventional Valentine's Day film clunkily establishing a romance between Marvin and Rose along with Marshawn Lynch's King and Andre Erisken's Otis discussing marital problems or Marvin secretary Ashley played by Lio Tipton falling for poetic assassin Raven played by Mustafa Shakir and while occasionally there's a sequence that works, most of it just feels limp especially in comparison to 87North's The Fall Guy which mixed action and romantic comedy much more effectively. Even the usually reliable fight work loses integrity in the final act as there's a disappointing number of cuts and close-up shots that make the final fight so underwhelming.

Love Hurts isn't without some charms (most of them courtesy of Quan), but the film never fully comes together in a way the marketing promises and it feels like a half-hearted remix of prior 87North productions that did similar things much more successfully. Quan's more than capable of headlining a film like this, I just wish the film itself were better.

Jonathan Eusebio's Love Hurts is the kind of action-comedy that Hollywood needs more of-smart, stylish, and overflowing with charm. Blending breakneck fight sequences with razor-sharp wit, this film delivers a delightful mix of heart-pounding action and laugh-out-loud moments, anchored by a stellar ensemble cast.

At the center of the mayhem is Ke Huy Quan, who shines as Marvin Gable, a reformed assassin turned real estate agent whose past literally comes knocking at his door. Quan brings an effortless blend of charm, physicality, and comedic timing to the role, making Marvin an instantly likable protagonist. Ariana DeBose is equally captivating as Rose, Marvin's former target-turned-long-lost love, injecting the film with an irresistible blend of danger and allure.

The supporting cast elevates the film even further. Daniel Wu's ruthless yet magnetic portrayal of Alvin "Knuckles" Gable makes for a formidable antagonist, while Mustafa Shakir's smooth but untrustworthy Renny Merlow adds layers of intrigue. However, one of the biggest scene-stealers is Marshawn Lynch, who, as the knife-wielding, poetry-loving Raven, delivers an unexpected comedic performance that lands every time. His dynamic with Kausar Mohammed's hilariously disillusioned assistant Ashley brings a fresh and quirky romance into the mix.

Eusebio, best known for his stunt choreography in John Wick and Birds of Prey, makes his directorial debut with a film that showcases his mastery of action. The fight sequences are kinetic and creative, blending gun-fu, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and even a real estate closing that turns into an all-out brawl. The choreography is crisp, inventive, and never overstays its welcome, keeping the film's energy consistently high.

Beyond the action, Love Hurts boasts a script filled with sharp dialogue and genuine laughs. The film balances its over-the-top violence with heartfelt moments, never losing sight of its central theme: embracing both the past and the future. The Valentine's Day backdrop adds an ironic touch of romance, with love-whether rekindled, newfound, or hilariously misguided-woven into every plot thread.

By the time the final showdown unfolds, Love Hurts has delivered a rollercoaster of adrenaline, humor, and heart. With its pitch-perfect cast, breathtaking action, and unexpectedly sweet moments, this film cements itself as a must-watch for fans of Mr. & Mrs. Smith and The Nice Guys.