Love, Marriage, & Other Bad Ideas is a 2012 romantic comedy directed by David Lord, starring popular adult entertainment personalities Lexi Belle, Richie Calhoun, Xander Corvus, and Dana DeArmond. The story revolves around three unconventional couples, each with their own unique set of issues and conflicting personalities, as they navigate their paths to love and long-term commitment.
First, there's Dylan (Calhoun) and Kylee (Belle), who have been together for two years but struggle with balancing their individual life goals with their relationship. Dylan is a struggling writer who wants to move to New York City to chase his dream, while Kylee is content with her life in California and is more interested in settling down and starting a family.
Then, there's Ryan (Corvus) and Erica (DeArmond), two longtime friends who start to develop romantic feelings for each other. However, Ryan is a commitment-phobe who can't seem to shake off his playboy ways, while Erica is a successful businesswoman who has never been in a serious relationship before.
Lastly, there's the older couple of Jack (Tom Byron) and Diane (Nina Hartley), who have been happily married for decades but must confront their own issues when Jack becomes infatuated with his young and attractive intern, Rachel (Allie Haze).
As the film progresses, each couple faces their own series of misadventures and comedic misunderstandings as they try to reconcile their differences and ultimately decide whether love and marriage are worth the potential risks.
Despite the risqué backgrounds of its stars, Love, Marriage, & Other Bad Ideas manages to tread the line between comedy and romance without veering too far into explicit territory. The film's humor is largely rooted in the eccentric personalities and insecurities of its characters, and while the occasional sexual innuendo crops up, the comedic focus is more on the intricacies of relationships rather than the bedroom shenanigans that most of the cast is known for.
The chemistry between the cast members is palpable, and each actor brings their own unique energy to their respective roles. Belle shines as the conflicted Kylee, torn between her loyalty to Dylan and her own desires for a stable and conventional life. Calhoun is charming as Dylan, bringing a level of vulnerability and insecurity to his character that grounds the film's more comedic moments.
Corvus and DeArmond's characters provide a nice balance of levity and heart, with Corvus in particular standing out as the film's resident lovable rogue. Meanwhile, the veteran performers Byron and Hartley provide a more grounded perspective on love and marriage, offering wisdom and guidance to the younger characters.
Overall, Love, Marriage, & Other Bad Ideas is a lighthearted and enjoyable romantic comedy that manages to balance its niche appeal with broad appeal. Its adult entertainment stars prove themselves to be capable and charismatic performers, and their chemistry with each other elevates the film beyond the limitations of its premise. While it's unlikely to become a classic in the annals of rom-com history, it's a fun and entertaining watch that will appeal to fans of the genre and the performers alike.
