Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Love Hurts And What's Making Us Happy"

Release Date: February 7, 2025
Host: Linda Holmes
Guests: Regina Barber, Jeff Yang

Introduction

In the February 7, 2025 episode of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, host Linda Holmes delves into the recent action film "Love Hurts," starring Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose. Joined by NPR's Regina Barber and cultural critic Jeff Yang, the trio dissects the movie's strengths and shortcomings, exploring its blend of action, comedy, and romance. The conversation seamlessly transitions into their personal segments on what brings them joy, offering listeners a well-rounded and engaging discussion.

Deep Dive into "Love Hurts"

Overview of the Film

"Love Hurts" features Ke Huy Quan as Marvin Gable, a real estate agent who distances himself from his gangster brother, Knuckles (Daniel Wu). The plot thickens with the return of Rose (Ariana DeBose), a mysterious former associate whose reappearance throws Marvin's life into chaos. Directed by Jonathan Eusebio, known for his stunt coordination in blockbuster hits like "Black Panther" and "John Wick," the film promises a mix of hand-to-hand combat, weaponry, and a romantic subplot peculiar for a Valentine's Day release.

Cast and Performances

• Ke Huy Quan: Regina Barber expresses her excitement as a fan of Quan, mentioning, "I went in with a little, maybe too high of hopes. But I will say I think he was really great through the whole thing. He was wonderful." (02:25) Jeff Yang echoes this sentiment, stating, "He is wonderful and I will follow him into the fires of hell." (03:28)

• Ariana DeBose: While DeBose's performance is acknowledged, both Regina and Jeff find her character, Rose, lacking depth. Linda Holmes critiques, "She sort of shows up and she's this mysterious. Like, he's always had a thing for her, but it's not really clear why." (08:52) Regina adds, "The actress who plays Rose, I think she's a really good actress, but that wasn't allowed to come out." (09:43)

Tonal Inconsistencies and Genre Blending

The film attempts to merge action with comedy and melodrama, leading to a disjointed viewing experience. Linda Holmes articulates her struggle with the film's shifting tones: "Because sometimes it plays like a comedy, plays like an action comedy, like a fall guy or something like that... But also then it goes into these really deeply melodramatic and feeling kind of like self serious segments." (04:26)

Jeff Yang further analyzes the genre fusion, noting, "There are two sort of schools of action comedy... one is the full-on slapstick action comedy... the other end of the spectrum is like Deadpool 2... where the comedy is in laughing at how over-the-top the violence actually is." (05:48) He suggests that "Love Hurts" struggles to find its place between these extremes, resulting in a lack of cohesive storytelling.

Fight Choreography and Action Sequences

The film's action sequences receive mixed reviews. While the stunts are praised for their inventiveness and execution, there's a sense that they sometimes overshadow the narrative. Linda remarks, "I enjoyed the fighting and agreed, particularly when it wasn't the kind of overly like, this is too over the top violent for me, but a lot of it. I did enjoy these fights a great deal." (13:11) Jeff adds humorously, "You only get one Boba straw Stab per movie." (13:24) highlighting the creative yet possibly excessive use of action tropes.

Character Development and Relationships

The core relationship between Marvin and Rose is critiqued for lacking sufficient development, making their chemistry unconvincing. Jeff observes, "They don't really plant enough in this movie early on... the central attraction, which is like, we have to believe these guys really, really love and want each other." (11:16) Regina notes the effective chemistry between other characters, such as Marvin's bond with his office mate Leo Tipton, adding, "I believed those people had known each other a long time and worked together well." (12:12)

What's Making Us Happy This Week

Regina Barber's Picks

1. Chef John: Regina breaks the conventional single-answer rule, enthusiastically recommending Chef John’s YouTube channel. She highlights his easy-to-follow recipes and charmingly corny jokes, saying, "I laugh every single time."

2. Star Trek: The Next Generation: Seeking comfort, Regina indulges in nostalgia by watching "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Picard," appreciating the blend of future hope and timeless storytelling.

Jeff Yang's Picks

1. Spring Training Countdown: Jeff expresses his excitement for the imminent return of baseball, sharing, "I love the sounds, the smells, the visuals of baseball so much, and I can't wait for that to be back in my life." He humorously mentions the mix of Dodgers and New York fans, encapsulating his love for the sport despite geographical challenges.

Linda Holmes' Pick

1. Teardown (Video Game): Linda is enamored with the 2022 game "Teardown," where players run a demolition company. She praises its voxel-based blocky aesthetic and sandbox mode, describing the satisfaction of destroying environments and solving complex assignments. Linda shares her creative strategies within the game, emphasizing its immersive and freeing qualities.

Conclusion

The episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers a balanced critique of "Love Hurts," acknowledging its action prowess and strong performances while questioning its tonal execution and character development. The hosts' personal segments on happiness add a delightful contrast, providing listeners with recommendations that span culinary delights, nostalgic viewing, the joy of sports, and engaging video games. This rich and engaging discussion ensures that both fans and newcomers to the podcast find valuable insights and relatable content.

Notable Quotes

• Regina Barber on Ke Huy Quan: "I think he was really great through the whole thing. He was wonderful." (02:25)

• Jeff Yang on Ke Huy Quan: "He is wonderful and I will follow him into the fires of hell." (03:28)

• Linda Holmes on Rose's Character: "She sort of shows up and she's this mysterious. Like, he's always had a thing for her, but it's not really clear why." (08:52)

• Jeff Yang on Genre Fusion: "There are two sort of schools of action comedy... one is the full-on slapstick action comedy... the other end of the spectrum is like Deadpool 2... where the comedy is in laughing at how over-the-top the violence actually is." (05:48)

• Linda Holmes on Fight Sequences: "I enjoyed the fighting and agreed, particularly when it wasn't the kind of overly like, this is too over the top violent for me, but a lot of it." (13:11)

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