Directed by Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect; Sisters; Tales of the City) and starring Jennifer Lopez (Hustlers; Main in Manhattan; The Wedding Planner), Josh Duhamel (Transformers; Safe Haven; New Year's Eve; The Institute), Lenny Kravitz (The Hunger Games; The Butler; Zoolander), Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie; The Watcher; Promising Young Woman; The White Lotus (TV series)) and Cheech Marin (Tin Cup; Up in Smoke; the War with Grandpa).
Action comedy; 101 mins; 12+
Darcy Rivera (Jennifer Lopez) and Tom Fowler (Josh Duhamel) decide to get married at an ultimate wedding destination - it was filmed in the Dominican Republic - and have invited their families and friends to celebrate with them.
Despite the idyllic setting and Tom's well-meant intentions to try to be romantic - often with chaotic results - things start to go awry when Tom's mother, Carol (Jennifer Coolidge), gives them rusty knives as a well-intentioned but rather insensitive present; and Darcy's wealthy father Robert (Cheech Marin) has invited her former boyfriend Sean Hawkins (Lenny Kravitz) who apparently did not have the courtesy to RSVP.
But what sets off a series of escapades is when the island is invaded by pirates who are apparently after Robert's money, and they take the wedding party hostage, apart from, that is, the bridge and groom, who manage to hide. It is then up to Darcy and Tom to save everyone - if they don't kill each other first. Their love for one another is tested to the limit in what becomes a comic adrenaline-fuelled adventure.
Unfortunately, it is not as hilarious as it is built up to be, but it does get better as it goes along; the idyllic setting is certainly comforting in a cold and wet February evening...
With both lead actors in their early 50s, their characters are probably in their 40s; arguably she looks as if she is still in her 30s... The actors are probably not helped by the script which includes less-than-riveting dialogue and predictable plot twists; not even Jennifer Coolidge could save it. Lopez and Duhamel are both likeable and work well off each other but there is no character development at all. However, the location manager must get a few stars.
It was probably a big mistake to release in at this time of year when so many Oscar contenders are on general release...
Currently being screened in Luxembourg at Kincepolis and CiNextDoor.
