Ever feel like you just need a movie that doesn't try to reinvent the wheel? Something that’s basically a warm hug with a side of French scenery? That’s exactly what happens in The Love Punch. Honestly, it's one of those films that critics absolutely shredded back in 2013, but if you actually sit down and watch it, you’ll find it’s kinda hard not to smile. Especially because you've got Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson basically acting like a pair of giddy teenagers.
It’s a heist movie. It’s a rom-com. It’s a "silver surfer" adventure.
What Really Happens in The Love Punch?
The plot is pretty straightforward, almost intentionally silly. Pierce Brosnan plays Richard, a guy whose retirement plans go up in smoke when a sleazy French businessman named Vincent Kruger (Laurent Lafitte) guts his company’s pension fund. Richard and his ex-wife Kate (Emma Thompson) lose everything. Their kids' college funds? Gone. Their future? Vanished.
Instead of just filing a lawsuit that would take a decade, they decide to fly to France to confront the guy. When that fails—miserably, mind you—they pivot to a much more logical plan: stealing a $10 million diamond necklace from Kruger’s fiancée.
It is ridiculous.
🔗 Read more: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Chemistry is the Real Star
You’d think a former James Bond and an Oscar-winning powerhouse like Thompson might feel "above" a movie where they have to wear ridiculous disguises and climb cliffs. But that's the magic. They don't. Their "bitting banter" (as the trailers loved to call it) feels real because they clearly enjoy each other’s company.
Brosnan is great at playing the slightly-lost-but-still-handsome guy, while Thompson is a comedic firecracker. There’s this one scene where they’re comparing cholesterol numbers over dinner while trying to figure out if they still love each other. It’s peak middle-aged romance. Honestly, without them, this movie would’ve been a total disaster. They carry it.
The Heist Crew You Didn’t Know You Needed
A heist needs a team. In The Love Punch, that team consists of the neighbors, Jerry and Penelope.
Timothy Spall and Celia Imrie are absolute scene-stealers here. Jerry turns out to have this weirdly dark past—he was in the French Foreign Legion and still has shrapnel in him from Saigon—which comes in handy when they need to infiltrate a high-security wedding.
💡 You might also like: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
- The Gear: They use scuba suits and grappling hooks.
- The Lunch: Penelope literally packs egg sandwiches in her wetsuit for the climb.
- The Vibe: It’s basically The Pink Panther meets Mamma Mia.
There's a sequence where the four of them land at the airport in France, strutting through the terminal to a rap song, and it is genuinely one of the funniest things in the film. It’s the kind of "dad joke" humor that works because the actors are so committed to the bit.
The Pierce Brosnan Factor
Let's talk about Pierce for a second. People always want him to be 007. The movie leans into this with a few nods to his Bond days, but it’s more fun to see him play a version of a hero who’s a bit creaky in the joints. He isn't jumping off buildings for Queen and Country anymore; he’s doing it because he wants his pension back.
It’s refreshing.
He doesn't take himself too seriously. Whether he's faking a thick Texan accent or struggling with a scuba mask, he seems to be having the time of his life. Critics at the time, like Tony Medley, called it "inexplicably terrible," but they might have missed the point. It’s meant to be "light-hearted and fun," as Michael Clawson from the Phoenix Film Festival noted.
📖 Related: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
Why You Should Actually Care
Is it a cinematic masterpiece? No.
But The Love Punch offers something that’s increasingly rare in the "prestige TV" era: pure, unadulterated escapism. It was filmed on location in Paris and the French Riviera (specifically Cannes and Antibes), and the cinematography by Jérôme Alméras makes the whole thing look like a luxury vacation. If you’re stuck at home on a rainy Sunday, watching Pierce Brosnan and Emma Thompson bicker in the South of France is a top-tier way to spend 94 minutes.
How to Enjoy The Love Punch Today
If you’re looking to watch this one, don't go in expecting Ocean's Eleven. Expect a "gentle and clichéd" romp that wins you over with its enthusiasm.
- Lower your guard: Stop looking for plot holes. There are plenty. Just ignore them.
- Focus on the support: Timothy Spall’s facial expressions when he realizes his watch isn't synchronized with the others is comedy gold.
- Appreciate the scenery: The shots of the Hotel Carlton and the cliff-top chateaus are breathtaking.
Basically, the film proves that you’re never too old to cause a little mayhem. It might not have been a box office smash—it only made about $8.3 million worldwide—but it has found a second life on streaming for people who just want to see talented actors have some fun.
If you’ve already seen the film and want more of that specific Brosnan/Thompson energy, you might enjoy looking into their behind-the-scenes interviews from the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. Their real-life friendship is just as charming as what you see on screen. You could also check out other "mid-life" comedies like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel if the "retired people doing cool stuff" genre is your vibe.
Next Steps:
If you're ready to dive into this breezy caper, check your local streaming listings for The Love Punch. Most people find it best paired with a glass of wine and zero expectations for high-stakes realism. You can also explore Pierce Brosnan's later comedic work, like Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, to see how he continued to lean into his funnier side after his Bond era.