Back to what’s comfortable for Jennifer Lopez in

Marry Me

by Kathia Woods

Jennifer Lopez is back in her element after her rousing performance in Hustlers. Marry Me is a romantic comedy film. This time, she is pop superstar Kat Valdez, who is set to marry her fellow pop superstar Bastian (Maluma) at a concert, followed by their duet of naturally Marry Me, but Bastian falters. So, here's our star, in front of thousands of fans, feeling heartbroken, and she decides to do something out of the ordinary. Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson), a math teacher extraordinaire, enters the fray. He attends the concert at the urging of his friend/coworker Parker Debbs (Sarah Silverman).

When Kat sees Charlie waving a "Marry Me" sign in the throng, she knows he's the one she should marry.

Charlie, unable to bear the thought of having to leave her on stage alone, accepts the proposal, and the two are soon married, regardless of what happens after their happily ever after.

Kat is constantly on the move, thanks to her team of videographers, assistants, and a manager. Charlie is a high school math teacher and the father of a preteen son. In fact, he doesn't even own an iPhone. How well do the two worlds get along? Meanwhile the public is wondering how Kat went from Bastien to boring Charlie. Is this real?

The plot, as preposterous as it may seem , has some positive moments.

Jennifer Lopez sings and dances her way through director Kat Coiro's film, taking full advantage of her natural talent as a performer. It's the co-stars that keep Marry Me fascinating, as always.

Michelle Buteau's performance as Melissa, the sassy assistant, is a joy to see. A reflection of our current social milieu, her preoccupation with filming everything for Kat's admirers is admirable. Collin Calloway as Kat's manager is portrayed by John Bradley. In a departure from his normal roles, Calloway is given the opportunity to portray a more serious character. The performance of Chloe Coleman as Lou Gilbert is the heart and soul of Marry Me. It's endearing how she makes fun of her father. The scenes between her and Wilson are some of the bests in the film

While Jennifer is the star, Owen Wilson thrives in this romcom and is adorable as Charlie; he is the one who brings the romance to the film. Because of him, we root for this couple.

Jennifer Lopez, for one, is at a crossroads in her career. She wants to be considered a great actress, not just a nice actress, and being uncomfortable is part of that. This was essentially her portrayal of herself in this role. Nothing new is on the way. This is essentially a 2022 reincarnation of her earlier films.

Her fanbase will go crazy for this, and it's perfect for Valentine's Day, but when will we see a Jennifer Lopez that is so meticulously manicured and crafted? Is she aware that to be in the conversation about greatness, she must stop giving us this recycled formula?

In a vehicle that she created and stars in, she is not the brightest star, despite having the most sparkles. Owen and the supporting cast steal the show, which is why this film is even remotely interesting.

Marry Me is for Jlo fans and anyone looking for an escape during these difficult times. Sure, it's a little corny, but maybe that's just what we need right now.

Marry Me comes out in Movies and Peacock on February the 11th