With Valentines’ Day in the rear-view mirror, it’s not too early to plan for next year.

With the rom-com, a hallowed Hollywood tradition, it’s Valentine’s Day all year-round.

In contemporary American cinema, the rom-com, or romantic-comedy, is the land of the Jennifers, as in Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Garner and Jennifer Lopez.

Aniston (TV’s “Friends,” 1994-2004) is noted for the rom-coms, including “She’s Funny That Way” (2014), the last narrative feature directed by Peter Bogdanovich (1939 - 2022); “The Break-Up” (2006), opposite Vince Vaughn, and “Along Came Polly” (2004), opposite Ben Stiller.

Garner (TV’s “Alias,” 2001-2006) has numerous rom-coms to her credit, including “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” (2009), “13 Going on 30” (2004) and “Catch Me If You Can” (2002).

Lopez, or J Lo as she’s known, has starred in the rom-coms “Second Act” (2018), “The Back-Up Plan“ (2010), “Monster-in-Law” (2005).”Maid in Manhattan” (2002) and “The Wedding Planner” (2001).

Other noteworthy rom-comers include Julia Roberts, “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997), “Runaway Bride” (1999), “Pretty Woman” (1990), and Meg Ryan, “You’ve Got Mail,” (1998), “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993), “When Harry Met Sally” (1989).

There’s also: Kristen Wiig, “Bridesmaids” (2011), Emma Stone, “Easy A” (2010), Amanda Seyfried, “Mama Mia! (2008), Sandra Bullock, “The Proposal” (2009); Katherine Heigl, “The Ugly Truth,” 2009; Drew Barrymore, “50 First Dates” (2004), and Kate Hudson, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003).

It’s not only females who are known for contemporary rom-coms. There are many starring males.

And of course, there are the classic romantic comedies of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Rom-coms are a tried and true formula. And that’s the problem. They’ve become formulaic. There are indications that the rom-com, the hallowed Hollywood tradition, is becoming a hollowed-out tradition.

Despite a seeming decline in rom-coms in theatrical release, Jennifer Lopez keeps plugging away.

In “Marry Me,” Lopez stars as Kat Valdez, a popular singer who marries a stranger, Charlie (Owen Wilson), a math teacher, at her concert when she was supposed to marry another pop star (Maluma, a Latin pop and reggaeton sensation), but decides not to when she discovers he had an affair.

The wedding of Kat and Charlie goes viral and Fallon (as in “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”).

The concert, by the way, looks a lot like a Madonna music video (“Papa Don’t Preach” meets “Material Girl”).

The movie breaks into song frequently whenever the plot drags (also frequently) with Lopez singing, which is quite enjoyable.

There’s even a vinyl record spinning Robert Goulet singing “If Ever I Would Leave You” (from the Lerner and Loewe musical, “Camelot”).

There’s a subplot pertaining to Charlie and his rapport with his daughter Lou (Chloe Coleman).

Sarah Silverman, as a friend of Charlie, helps propel the plot, as do Kat Valdez’s assistants (John Bradley, Michelle Buteau).

Kat Coiro (director, “A Case of You,” 2013; “And While We Were Here,” 2012; “Life Happens,” 2011) directs from a screenplay by John Rogers (“Transformers,” story, 2007; “Catwoman,” screenplay, 2004; “American Outlaws,” 2001), Tami Sagher (TV’s “Inside Amy Schumer,” 2015-2016) and Harper Dill (“The Mindy Project,” 2012-2013) based on the graphic novel by Bobby Crosby and Remy “Eisu” Mokhtar.

The screenplay makes much use of social media, entertainment jargon, media frenzy, and fandom in the plot. It also provides a lot of behind-the-scenes looks at show business.

The film is a guilty pleasure in terms of glimpses into a pop star’s lifestyle and the fantasy realm of a fan meeting his or her idol and possibly dating or marrying.

Lopez has a very naturalistic acting style that serves her well.

Wilson has a good rapport with Lopez. His vocal intonation reminds me of the late Dwayne Hickman (May 18, 1934 - Jan. 9, 2022) of TV’s “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” (1959 - 1963).

“Marry Me” joins the list of rom-coms for Lopez, who single-handedly seems to be keeping them going.

If you’re a fan of J-Lo, rom-coms and the promise of romantic love, ”Marry Me” may be the film for you, and your significant other.

After all, you don’t have to wait until next year’s Valentine’s Day to see it. With the rom-com, Valentine’s Day can be every day.

“Marry Me,”

MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.) for some language and suggestive material; Genre: Romance, Comedy, Music; Run time: 1 hour, 52 minutes. Distributed by Universal Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“Marry Me” uses the Poconos as a punch line. “At my last birthday, I was at a conference in the Poconos,” says Charlie, to which Kat replies, in effect, “I have a lot to measure up.”

Theatrical Movie Box Office,

Feb. 18-20: ”Uncharted,” starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg in an action movie based on the video game, opened at No. 1 for the Presidents’ Day weekend, with $44.1 million, in 4,275 theaters, as “Dog,” starring Channing Tatum, opened at No. 2 with $15.1 million in 3,677 theaters.

3. “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” starring Tom Holland, moved up one place, $7.6 million, in 2,956 theaters, $770.5 million, 10 weeks. “No Way Home” is the third highest-grossing film of all time, having passed “Avatar” (2009).

4. “Death on the Nile” dropped three places from it’s one-week cruise at No. 1, with $6.2 million, in 3,280 theaters, $24.9 million, two weeks. 5. “Jackass Forever” dropped three places, $5.2 million, in 3,071 theaters, $46.7 million, three weeks. 6. “Marry Me,” starring J Lo and Owen Wilson, dropped three places, $3.6 million, in 3,643 theaters, $16.8 million, two weeks. 7. “Sing 2” dropped one place, $2.8 million, in 2,476 theaters, $147.3 million, nine weeks. 8. “Scream” dropped one place, $1.9 million, in 1,907 theaters, $77 million, six weeks. 9. “Blacklight,” starring Liam Neeson, $1.7 million in 2,772 theaters, $7 million, two weeks. 10. “The Cursed,” opening, $1.7 million, in 1,687 theaters.

Box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Feb. 20.

Unreel,

Feb. 25:

“Mothering Sunday,”

R: Eva Husson directs Odessa Young, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth and Olivia Colman in the Romance Drama. A maid in post-World War I England wants to meet a man before he gets married.

Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of Feb. 20.

Two Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes