The 2025 action/comedy Love Hurts is a great start to the new year’s offerings. Yes, if you are interested, it does hurt, but, in a good way. 87N, once more gives us spectacularly choreographed fight scenes. As usual these are to die for.
Ke Huy Quan proves that he did not spend all those years after Indiana Jones and Goonies sitting on his hands. Without going into all the backstory, Quan could well be the “new” Jackie Chan.” No doubt about it. Winning the Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once opened a lot of eyes in the industry. His expertise in stunt choreography has literally turned Quan into a “Bada**.”
The story of Love Hurts
Marvin Gable lives to sell houses. He is an outgoing and over the top realtor who loves his job. On Valentine’s Day he gets a special valentine. A blast from his past that upsets his carefully constructed world.
An old love is about to turn Marvin’s world upside down.
The Main Cast
Ke Huy Quan is Marvin Gable.
Mustafa Shakir is Raven.
Lio Tipton is Ashley.
Daniel Wu is Alvin “Knuckles” Gable.
Cam Gigandet is Renny Merlo.
Marshawn Lynch is King.
Cameo Kings
Rhys Darby is Kippy.
Sean Astin is Cliff Cussick.
Behind the Camera
Jonathan Eusebio directs Love Hurts with an eye for detail and a deft touch. If his name sounds familiar, it should. He was fight coordinator on The Fall Guy and has a slew of credits to his name.
Love Hurts has three writers: Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard and Luke Passmore manage to prove that the “too many cooks” adage in not always true. DP Bridger Nielson gives us frames that pop. The scenes feel like they could literally leap off the screen here. Thanks to a huge extent to the editing efforts of the team.
The makeup, the FX and the fight scenes are all put together for a perfect storm of entertainment. As I like to say, Shakespeare it ain’t, but is certainly does work as a bit of pure, if not violent, fun.
it works
At no time during the film do we ever doubt the ability of Quan, or more accurately his character, to beat everyone’s arse. Sure, some of the characters are a tad two dimensional but it just adds to the entertainment.
All the characters are allowed to have a bit of fun. Astin may be the only “serious” role in the film. Darby as Kippy is just good fun. DeBose sparkles and the good “bad” girl. The gem in Love Hurts though is Shakir as Raven. He manages to convey volumes with just his expressions. I am an new fan.
the verdict
Love Hurts scores high on the star chart. I was tempted to ladle out a generous 5 out of 5 stars. I feel that is a little over the top, influenced by my first trip to the cinema since Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood. The film still garners a full 4.5 stars though. So yes Love Hurts does indeed hurt, but in such a good way. It is in the cinema starting 7 February.
the trailer
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