Just in time for Valentines, 2 new romcoms have been released. Jennifer Lopez & Owen Wilson go big budget, while Jenny Slate & Charlie Day hit the indie route.
Marry Me Jennifer Lopez plays a fictional version of herself, a music superstar. She’s slated to wed her famous beau (Maluma), but when she finds him cheating right before the wedding, she randomly picks someone out of the audience to take his place (Owen Wilson). Since he’s a scruffy math teacher, their lifestyles obviously clash. The story goes where it’s expected, so it’s up to the writing and performances to make it special. Lopez looks fabulous in great fashions, while taking her role seriously. Wilson serves up his usual hapless charm, which works for his character, but it’s Sarah Silverman, as his guidance counselor friend, who brings the funny. It’s obvious by the constant original musical numbers that a soundtrack is the movie’s side hustle. As for the writing, there’s nothing new or especially amusing. Overall, the chemistry between the couple is genuine and their performances elevate the film slightly out of run-of-the-mill romcom. 
(3 / 5)
I Want You Back Almost as soon as the movie starts, Charlie Day and Jenny Slate both lose their relationships. After they meet in misery, they make a pact to get help each other win back their sweethearts by undermining their new relationships. An interesting angle that follows the typical path. Since it’s pretty predictable, the actors and script need to add anything new. Some wacky supporting characters would have added some spice, but there aren’t any (Manny Jacinto is growing into his sensitive hunk presence). The writing isn’t ever clever, just lots of talk without any much amusing.The actors do just fine. It’s sufficiently sweet, but doesn’t rise above genre typical. (3 / 5)