Today’s quick review: The Love Punch. Richard Jones (Pierce Brosnan) and his ex-wife Kate (Emma Thompson) are nearing retirement and getting used to life without each other. But the two are reunited when French billionaire Vincent Kruger (Laurent Lafitte) takes over Richard’s company and steals its pension fund. To get back what’s theirs, Richard and Kate travel to Paris to steal a $10 million from Vincent at his wedding.
The Love Punch is a romantic crime comedy about two near-retirees trying to steal a valuable gem from a ruthless billionaire. Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson co-star as Richard and Kate Jones, who rekindle their relationship while planning the heist. The Love Punch’s main appeal is that it is fun. The heist is low-stakes, the would-be thieves are amateurs, and the chemistry betwen Brosnan and Thompson gives the movie its sparkle.
However, The Love Punch is missing the polish seen in similar movies. The mechanics of the heist are not that impressive, but they are enough to put Richard and Kate in some risky situations. The dialogue is light and amusing, but it never crosses the threshold into being profound or meaningful. Aspects of the story are also underdeveloped. Vincent is never given his due as an antagonist, and the heist itself is somewhat contrived.
The Love Punch is an enjoyable movie that does what it sets out to do, but little more. It dabbles in crime comedy and romance, makes good use of an older cast, and maintains a light tone throughout. But unfortunately, The Love Punch never hits as hard as it should. Viewers who are hoping for a smart heist, a passionate romance, or a sharp comedy will find that the movie falls somewhat short.
For Pierce Brosnan as a retired diamond thief in an exotic locale, try After the Sunset. For a more elaborate heist by retirees, try Going in Style or The Maiden Heist. For a somewhat more serious crime movie with glimmers of the same spirit, try King of Thieves.
[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2234261/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for good pieces that don’t quite come together.