Shotgun Wedding movie review:
Good romantic comedies are hard to find these days. Even though the genre was in vogue in the 1990s and early 2000s, what about now? Even the idea of romantic connections and love, especially the genuine, unadulterated type, scares screenwriters or, more precisely, studios. Thus, Jennifer Lopez’s Shotgun Wedding is unusual, despite the fact that it was also removed from streaming. In the conventional sense, it is a romcom. The genre is characterised by improbable encounters, joyful accidents, strange parents, direct communication that borders on the hackneyed, and unbelievable story events. I don’t say this to disparage the genre because I actually adore it. I’m simply expressing the obvious. Few things, in my opinion, are as cosy and reassuring as a decent romcom.
Does Shotgun Wedding meet the criteria for good? Continue reading. JLo portrays Darcy, a character who would have chosen a low-key wedding, in the Jason Moore film. However, her boyfriend Tom (Josh Duhamel) forces a destination wedding on her instead, intending to make the marriage especially memorable by patiently attending to even the smallest details. In a funny scenario, a lingerie-clad Darcy tries to seduce Tom, who first succumbs to her charms before remembering a decoration he neglected to set up.
The family members of the couple are tense. Sonia Braga, the mother of Darcy, is only mildly annoyed to see Cheech Marin, Darcy’s father and his young, vivacious girlfriend D’Arcy Carden, attending the party. Or she masks her true, instinctual emotions by appearing tough. Tom’s mother is portrayed by the brilliant Jennifer Coolidge, who is experiencing a career comeback. With the same nonchalant disregard for what other people have to say, her persona is essentially Tanya from The White Lotus. She forbids her son from spending the night before the wedding with his future wife because, as a lover of tradition, she believes it would bring ill luck.
But Sean (Lenny Kravitz), who Darcy once had an engagement with, really throws a wrench in the proceedings. The man currently works for Darcy’s father, who compelled his daughter to send him an invitation to the wedding by insisting he go. Sean is a charming individual who leaves an impression on everyone. Tom is obviously upset by his presence because he has suddenly developed insecurities and a poor self-esteem.
As it turns out, Darcy and Tom end up fighting to the point that they want to cancel everything. They are blissfully oblivious that the neighbourhood pirates have infiltrated the gathering and are keeping people hostage because of the private nature of their tête-à-tête.
It’s a lovely set up. Shotgun Wedding does manage to be an entertaining enough romcom for the majority of its running time. Although it is not even close to being the best of the genre, it is still quite good. Every movie she is in is made more entertaining than it should be by something about the pop star’s very presence. Even as an actor, JLo falls short. She oozes enough charisma in this scene to bring the movie to life. She has lots of magnetism. Although Duhamel is capable, he is unable to match the leading lady’s on-screen presence. Ryan Reynolds was once a candidate to portray that role. Sigh.
Predictably outrageous and unbelievable, the action is actually pretty enjoyable. However, there is quite a bit of violence and gore in the film for a film of this type. So be sure to keep the little ones away from this movie.
The typical romcom tropes are present here, and if you prefer realistic filmmaking, take a look outside the window. I make fun of myself, but films like Shotgun Wedding are pure escape. Analyzing the likelihood of a stunt, accidental encounter, or other event may undermine any enjoyment you were planning to get from the movie. You can judge if this story is right for you or not by watching the trailer, in my opinion.
That being said, Shotgun Wedding is loud and moves quickly enough that you won’t notice all the ridiculous aspects in the narrative, unless you abhor romcoms. You have to respect Moore’s audacity for directing Mark Hammer’s script. Of course, the writing is far from faultless, and many of the gags feel forced. The movie also might have benefited greatly from having more Coolidge. Shotgun Wedding would have then been just my type of movie. I advise it to anyone who like (and misses) rom-coms as is.
In India, you can watch Shotgun Wedding on Lionsgate Play.
