Jennifer Lopez Returns to Rom-Coms in “Marry Me”: A Modern Fairy Tale?
Following the remarkable success of “Hustlers,” Jennifer Lopez is back in the realm of romantic comedies, this time seemingly playing a version of herself: a dazzling and successful woman navigating a complicated love life.
The film centers on pop superstar Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez) whose world is turned upside down when she discovers her fiancé, fellow music sensation Bastian (Maluma), has been unfaithful just moments before their highly publicized wedding. In a moment of impulsive defiance, Kat decides to marry a random audience member – an unassuming math teacher named Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson) who happened to be at her concert. What begins as a seemingly disastrous stunt unexpectedly blossoms into something real.
Jennifer Lopez as Kat Valdez in “Marry Me”
J.Lo’s Star Power: The Focus of “Marry Me”
One glance at the “Marry Me” poster makes it clear that this film is a vehicle for Jennifer Lopez. Despite a long list of roles, the actress hasn’t quite solidified herself as a major dramatic actress. However, she has had some notable successes, such as the psychological thriller “The Cell,” where she played a therapist who enters the mind of a serial killer. After a hiatus from acting, Lopez returns with “Marry Me,” a project that mirrors aspects of her own life.
Owen Wilson as Charlie Gilbert in “Marry Me”
Echoes of Real Life: A Fairytale with a Twist
The premise of “Marry Me” immediately reveals its appeal for Lopez: the story of Kat Valdez bears a striking resemblance to her own experiences. Last year, her former fiancé, Alex Rodriguez, faced public scrutiny for alleged infidelity before their wedding. While the couple attempted to salvage their relationship, they ultimately separated. In “Marry Me,” Kat Valdez addresses this issue by marrying a stranger from the audience and unexpectedly falling in love. In essence, Valdez finds herself in a modern fairy tale where her ideal partner isn’t a prince charming, but a humble stable boy.
Jennifer Lopez as Kat Valdez in “Marry Me”
The Problem with Fairytales in Modern Rom-Coms
However, the “fairy tale” trope feels outdated in the romantic comedy genre. The Cinderella story, even with reversed gender roles, struggles to surprise audiences. Modern viewers crave romantic films that reflect the complexities of the real world and feature relatable characters. “Marry Me” relies on archaic notions that true love conquers all, ignoring the significant social disparities between Lopez and Wilson’s characters, as well as their differing lifestyles and views on marriage. While such relationships might work on screen or in fan fiction, they feel unrealistic.
Perhaps this fairytale-esque narrative proved therapeutic for Jennifer Lopez herself (especially now that she’s reunited with Ben Affleck). However, for the average viewer, “Marry Me” is simply another unrealistic melodrama that promotes a false idea of what romantic relationships should be.