In ‘Shotgun Wedding,’ with Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel, destination nuptials are hijacked
Other new films to catch include a Pamela Anderson documentary on Netflix and "You People" with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill.
‘Shotgun Wedding’
After the limited box office success of the Julia Roberts-George Clooney destination wedding rom-com Ticket to Paradise in October, Prime Video may have questioned releasing another destination wedding rom-com — this one with Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel — in theaters.
Straight to streaming was a wise move.
On the big screen, with the cost of tickets and snacks, and COVID-19/RSV/flu concerns, Shotgun Wedding would be a disappointment. Its tone is all over the place, plot points exist only so the leads (Lopez as the wealthy Darcy, Duhamel as Midwestern baseball player Tom) can go back and forth as to whether they love or hate each other. The jokes are schoolyard level banter.
After the helicopter arrival of Darcy’s ex (Lenny Kravitz), Darcy and Tom’s wedding, at a private island resort in the Philippines is hijacked by machine gun-toting pirates. They are seeking to extort a ransom from Darcy’s wealthy father (Cheech Marin). While the guests are all held hostage in the pool, Darcy and Tom run through a Die Hard-like adventure of zip-tied close calls in an effort to save their families and romance.
Of course, there are complications. She’s afraid of blood. He’s afraid of heights. She’s running around in a wedding dress with a train longer than the Acela. Oh, yeah, and she’s holding a live grenade. Yet somehow these two supermodel-gorgeous, whiny nudniks manage to outwit, outplay, and outlast half-dozen trained killers.
The whole thing is relentlessly silly, although some of the big-budget stunt work is impressive. But it’s been nearly 40 years since Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile turned this type of story into a genre, and there aren’t many examples where it’s succeeded.
Shotgun Wedding plays on your smart TV, computer, or phone, and it’s an easy-on-the-eyes diversion if you like over-the-top froth. Or just want to marvel how JLo could possibly be turning 54 this year. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the movie is how unusual it is to see a rom-com with stars in their 50s, even if they do look a generation younger.
Jennifer Coolidge and Sonia Braga portray the mothers of the groom and bride — Coolidge is only 11 years older than “son” Duhamel — and no one can fault their effort. But if you want to see Coolidge in an exotic locale, try White Lotus. Directed by Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect). (Rated R for language and adult humor. Premieres Friday, Jan. 27, on Prime Video.)
‘You People’
Jonah Hill and Kenya Barris (Black-ish, Coming 2 America) wrote this interracial rom-com, directed by Barris, about love, family, and cultures clashing. A modern reimagining of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Starring Hill, Eddie Murphy, Lauren London, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sam Jay, Nia Long, and more. (Rated R. Premieres Friday, Jan. 27, on Netflix.)
‘Pamela, a Love Story’
Documentary about the life of Playboy model, Baywatch star, PETA activist, alleged Tim Allen flashee, and mom, Pamela Anderson. Directed by Ryan White (Good Night Oppy). (Not rated. Premieres Tuesday, Jan. 31, on Netflix.)