“Shotgun Wedding” Finds Romance in the Craziest Places

The list of reasons why Jennifer Lopez’s “Shotgun Wedding” Should stink is significant.

Before Josh Duhamel arrived, the project was already in motion. Name actors Ryan Reynolds, Armie Hammer had been flirting with it.

Hollywood isn’t sure how to make a rom-com of the old-school variety these days. However, recent movies like “Ticket to Paradise” And “I Want You Back” The genre is in dire need of a revival.

And the story’s plot, a wedding ceremony gets hijacked by terrorists, reeks of flop sweat.

“Shotgun Wedding” Bullies are more than the above and prove that the romcom template can withstand almost anything. It helps to have Stifler’s mom, scene-stealer Jennifer Coolidge, on hand.

Lopez and Duhamel play Darcy, and Tom, the lovebirds who gather in the Philippines to celebrate their big day. He’s a control freak, organizing every last detail of the wedding. She’s busy keeping the peace between her squabbling parents.

Their big day is interrupted by machine gun-wielding terrorists eager to snag some cash from Darcy’s rich Dad (Cheech Marin).

Is this possible? Can the wedding party see tomorrow?

The “dumb” Factor sinks deeper than just a few fluffy romance movies. “Shotgun Wedding” This is a mistake that he avoids early. The laughter is gentle, Darcy’s bond with Tom feels real enough, and the supporting actors add warmth to the mix.

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Sonia Braga seethes as Darcy’s mom, still bitter over her ex shacking up with a much younger woman (D’Arcy Carden). Tom’s daffy mom (Coolidge) gets every social cue wrong, as only the “White Lotus” star can.

And then there’s Sean (Lenny Kravitz), Darcy’s handsome ex whose presence gets on Tom’s last nerve. You can’t blame him.

It’s an overstuffed recipe for romance and danger, and the film packs plenty of the latter. These terrorists mean business … until they don’t. The film can’t push the danger element too much, lest it break free from the rom-com template.

This is what it means “Wedding” It is a multi-faceted problem that never goes away. One minute we’re chortling at Coolidge saying something silly, the next the couple in question is dodging machine gun fire.

Sally and Harry didn’t have to run for cover during their screen romance.

Director Jason Moore “Pitch Perfect” Fame does a great job of handling all aspects. Moore is a master at delivering the action, and Moore doesn’t even crack a joke.

Lopez and Duhamel aren’t a classic screen couple, but their bickering has a purpose. Marriage is difficult, so you need to be as vulnerable as possible.

That’s scary by itself, let alone knowing a team of terrorists is lurking around the corner.

Duhamel’s career is no match for what Lopez has built over the years, but the actor’s good looks distract from his casual charm. He’s perfect for breezy rom-coms, but Hollywood hasn’t given him projects worthy of his skill set.

His work in 2004’s “Win a Date with Ted Hamilton!” This door should have been opened long ago.

Duhamel’s presence, and a woke-free story, make “Shotgun Wedding” A flawed, but fun date night alternative.

Miss or HiT: “Shotgun Wedding” It could be a disaster, but Jennifer Coolidge’s charismatic leads keep the rom-com moving.

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