The Love Punch - A Movie Review

Did you invite us on a vacation or a criminal heist?

The Love Punch is a 2014 film. A divorced couple scheme to recover the retirement money that was stolen from them. During this haist, Richard and Kate may still have lingering feelings for one another.

Usual script with a divorced couple: Check. The divorced couple bicker the entire time: Check. Said divorced couple have no intentions of ever getting back together, but went on a life-changing adventure that transforms their feelings: Check. That’s it. That’s the premise of The Love Punch.

Emma Thompson and Pierce Brosnan are two excellent actors. They had their characters bickering down to a pact, along with sharp-witted remarks. Thanks to their chemistry, they inject humor into this script.

If they weren’t a part of this film, I don’t know if I would have watched it. Aside from this, Kate and Richard are not established enough. This movie wants them to get back together from the start.

Diving head-first into the story without giving viewers a chance to understand the situation, The Love Punch falls flat in its attempt to charm audiences with recycled tropes and a lackluster storyline. They repeat continuously that they’ll never get back together. You only know what’s going to happen. We have seen several divorce storylines play out across several films.

All of a sudden, Kate and Richard’s friends are along for the ride. Timothy Spall and Celie Imrie never fit the story’s needs. They are both splendid actors, but they play one-dimensional characters. Despite their considerable acting chops, they're given little to work with and ultimately feel like afterthoughts in the grand scheme of the story.

While on this supposed mission, the quartet does a lot of complaining about their old age. All the talk between the adults is if anyone needs to use the restroom before heading out to solve the mystery. They even go scuba diving in the ocean.

Those jokes have been done countless times in mystery films. We need original films that change the formula or divorce or criminal haist films. It’s time for a new story. The plot meanders aimlessly from one implausible scenario to the next, leaving viewers scratching their heads in confusion.

Scenes are hastily stitched together with little regard for continuity or logic, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. It's as if Joel Hopkins threw every idea he had into the mix without stopping to consider whether it all made sense.

The only scene that fits the atmosphere of The Love Punch is Kate taking a detour and driving the car down a flight of stairs. Thompson did all her own stunt driving. It’s the funniest part of the film! The rest of the film is redundant with no direction. I don’t know what it’s about if someone asked.

With all the harsh criticism I have pelted on the movie, there are some good things. The Love Punch is a lighthearted comedy. How many lighthearted films do we have right now? The actors are clearly having a fun time with the film and their interactions with each other. The film is still enjoyable, I just wish that filmmakers took more risks.

The location cannot go unmentioned, being filmed entirely in France. I have always wanted to go to France. The characters travel (and rest) in several famous areas. Trips around the world are beneficial, especially when you’re with significant others.

The Love Punch is not the best film, but certain audiences may find it funny. Don’t ignore the film because it deserves a watch.