Alice Oscura, Featured Writer
Disclaimer: The following contains minor spoilers
After making a successful screen comeback in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), actor Ke Huy Quan returns in an unevenly paced, action-packed comedic offering.
A cheery, successful realtor named Marvin Gable (Quan) has his peaceful existence shattered when a former partner/crush resurfaces on Valentine’s Day. Marvin was hiding the fact that he used to be an enforcer/hitman when he worked for his crime boss brother Alvin, aka Knuckles (Daniel Wu). However, when Rose (Ariana DeBose) pops back up into his life, Knuckles sends his goons to interrogate (none too gently) his brother until he gives up her location.
Love Hurts is experienced stunt coordinator Jonathan Eusebio’s first-time stint in the director’s chair. His work can be seen in films like The Fall Guy (2024), Black Panther (2018) and John Wick (2014). Quan, who also became a stunt coordinator once his acting opportunities dried up in the 1990s, uses the opportunity to showcase his capabilities while he bravely performs his own stunts for the film despite being in his early fifties. The actor’s dedication and passion for his role jump off the screen. There is an air of genuinely wanting to give the audience a great performance by ensuring that his stunt sequences are enjoyable and entertaining with his perfect execution, despite the lack of fluidity and cohesiveness of the film’s plot. I don’t know if it would be the same for everyone, but speaking for myself, I was getting hints of Jackie Chan-esque inspiration in some of his movements.
Quan plays the quintessential Clarke Kent-like character that is at first deceptively calm and misleading. That is, until his inner crouching tiger hidden dragon is unleashed, and we get some gratuitous violence where, unlike other popular action heroes, he doesn’t come away almost completely unscathed.
We also need to take the time to highlight the heartfelt reunion of The Goonies (1985) alum Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) and Quan. Astin plays the role of Marvin’s mentor, boss and friend Cliff Cussick. There is a heartfelt moment whereupon hearing the truth about Marvin’s past, he professes to Knuckles that he respects Marvin’s efforts to change his life even more now and that he considers the two of them to be brothers. It is a scene that hits you in the feels for more than one reason, which will become entirely obvious once you’ve seen it. Special shoutout to actress Lio Tipton (Two Night Stand) as a disfranchised realtor named Ashley who ends up falling for one of Knuckles’ goons, Raven (Mustapha Shakir), because of his poetry-writing skills.
The chemistry between Quan and DeBose is not altogether there. It’s a grave misstep, and their relationship should have had a bit more development, if not from the flashback sequences, then from their present interactions.
In conclusion, Love Hurts is average but still a funny, entertaining film that admits that love can sometimes physically hurt, but it can be a wonderful thing!
Dark Alice’s Score: 5.5 out of 10
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Alice has an old soul and a curious mind. I believe that anyone can be a hero and that the good guys should always win! I dislike cruelty to animals and think that they have far superior qualities to humans. My motto is there is no future without the past. I also have a weird penchant for Paranormal TV shows even though the slightest sound makes me jump. I enjoy writing reviews and throwing in fun facts to pique the readers’ curiosity. My ultimate goal in life would be to become a published writer one day. Read More