Flickering Myth

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TIFF Movie Review – Love Punch (2013)

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Love Punch, 2013.

Directed by Joel Hopkins.

Starring Pierce Brosnan, Emma Thompson, Tuppence Middleton, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie, Marisa Berenson, and Louise Bourgoin.

SYNOPSIS:

A divorced couple who are victims of an embezzlement scheme attempt to steal back their stolen money.
A wedding introduces a former couple (Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson) who have struggled having lasting relationships ever since their divorce; they are forced back together when a corrupt French businessman saunters off with their pension plan money.   Slapstick hijinks unfold as the duo go about orchestrating a daring revenge heist with the help of the married duo of Timothy Spall (The King’s Speech) and Celia Imrie (Calendar Girls).  Youth is represented by a disgruntled French fashion model (Louise Bourgoin) who is about to marry to the corporate villain and a young wealthy male millionaire met through the Internet.
Love Punch tries too hard to be hip.  The circle transition wipe that openings the movie is reminiscent of a Looney Tunes cartoon which is probably an accurate description for the whole production.  Nothing is believable and cheap laughs are constantly sought after such as the hapless roommate, there are constant slow-motion hero walking shots (one of which is abruptly halted and then restarted after bathroom break), the blaring classic rock soundtrack, and the cliché rekindling of a love once lost.

Plot conveniences are plentiful such as the son who with a touch of a button can access whatever information his parents need and Timothy Spall who has a mysterious past which gives him the ability to know a contact for all and everything that might be needed. The cleverness seems to be reserved for the main title sequence while the cast and filmmakers are on creative cruise control. It is great to see older actors having movies built around them as talent is not defined by age; what is working against them is the idea that all you need is a series of comedic gags to entertain an audience. A story involving a heist of the heart would have been one worth watching.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ / Movie: ★

Trevor Hogg

Originally published September 7, 2013. Updated April 14, 2018.

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