The film poster for "Love Hurts" depicts Ke Huy Quan in an intimidating stance, amidst heart-themed imagery. This unexpected blend is a hallmark of the new venture by 87North, a production house noted for its action films featuring non-traditional stars like Bob Odenkirk (Nobody) and David Harbour (Violent Night). Despite the company's track record, their latest venture with Oscar-winning actor Quan doesn't hit the mark as effectively.
In "Love Hurts", Quan's character, Marvin Gable, is a suburban realtor whose secret past as a hitman, working for his older brother Knuckles (Daniel Wu), unravels. However, the movie struggles to find a balance between comedy and action, resulting in a subpar comedic element. Complications arise when Marvin's ex-criminal partner, Rose (Ariana DeBose), sends him mysterious valentines, and a knife-specialist assassin (Mustafa Shakir) pursues her.
There's plenty of action, including some well-crafted fight scenes, but the odd inclusion of romance and attempts at humor detract from the film's overall effectiveness. Director Jonathan Eusebio does a commendable job in his debut, using his stunt and fight coordination experience to choreograph impressive fight sequences.
However, the movie's overall pace and the humorous tone of the action sequences undermine their impact. The climactic fight, underscored by a Barry White ballad, is entertaining but hardly believable. Quan, endearing as he is, lacks the gritty toughness required of his character, regardless of the assault he endures. His love interest with DeBose's character, Rose, adds another layer of confusion to the film's narrative.
"Love Hurts" aims to weave together action, romance, and comedy, but this blend doesn't quite achieve its desired effect. Despite its shortcomings, the film does afford some guilty pleasure, such as the surprising demise of a Property Brother lookalike.
