After 2022’s Marry Me, it’s safe to say that the romcom Jen-aissance is in full swing. Though Hustlers proved that Jennifer Lopez in a dramatic role is a force to be reckoned with, there’s a certain kind of joy to be found watching her lean back into her Hollywood beginnings as a romantic lead.
Shotgun Wedding’s not-so-secret weapon is, of course, J-Lo herself, who manages to balance being an overwhelmed bride, action heroine and full-blown goofball with ease. She and Duhamel have tangible comedic chemistry, whether it be batting blustering banter back and forth ahead of a particularly tense moment, or settling into more emotionally resonant conflicts about their differing approaches to marriage. There’s an interesting thread in there somewhere about how Tom is the one obsessed with perfecting their big, traditional nuptials, and Darcy’s reluctance to participate in that – but incisive commentary on gender dynamics is not what one desires from a film like this. One desires a fun time, and Shotgun Wedding just about delivers.
Outside of Lopez and Duhamel, the supporting cast provide a quality ensemble, though Jennifer Coolidge as Tom’s eccentric mother Carol is undoubtedly the standout. With relatively few scenes, she steals the show – her line delivery of “Check all ditches!”, repeated selling-out of Darcy’s father Robert (Cheech Marin) to the pirates, and proficiency with a machine gun being the particular highlights. Elsewhere, D’Arcy Carden does her best as Darcy’s extremely thinly-drawn, astrology-obsessed stepmother Harriet, but Lenny Kravitz, whilst exceptionally stylish, is fairly wooden as lurking, annoyingly evolved old flame Sean.
The plot is kept pretty minimal – a wedding is happening, pirates show up, bride and groom must take down the pirates – in order to spend more time indulging in humorous bits and set-pieces that don’t always land. The physical, slapstick comedy and relentlessly ridiculous stunts are definitely where Shotgun Wedding is at its best, though there are plenty of character nuggets littered throughout that provide some satisfying payoff in the third act. A romcom revelation, this ain’t – but it’s an entertaining vehicle for the ever-charismatic Jennifer Lopez, and frankly, that’s enough.
