Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry’s The Union is the latest addition to Hollywood’s rom-com genre and it combines our two favorite things in the film industry – spies and love. Despite having a couple of good protagonists and a decent storyline, the film unfortunately did not receive love from either the critics or the audience.
The Union follows the story of construction worker, Mike, who gets pulled into the world of secret agents by his ex-girlfriend, Roxanne. Together, they embark on a high-stakes mission, and despite the fact that it is a rom-com thriller, Mike and Roxanne never kiss in the film. As it turns out, this was a well-thought-out plan by the director, Julian Farino. And while a similar idea didn’t work out for Glen Powell’s Twisters, it just might end up working for The Union.
Why Didn’t Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry Kiss?
The Union runs for a total of 109 minutes but not once do Mark Wahlberg’s Mike and Halle Berry’s Roxanne kiss. While we love nothing more than a happy ending, it looks like Mike and Roxanne’s relationship still has a long way to go.
Talking to Variety at the film’s L.A. premiere, director Julian Farino opened up about his decision to not include a kiss in the film. As per Farino, Netflix suggested the team of The Union think of it as the first installment in a three-part film series. Therefore, the director concluded that they would be better off postponing the kiss.
He stated that the decision was “long debated” and added,
We take the relationship to a certain place, and then I think you’ve got to leave a lot of space to go. You have to think of this as a possible three-movie idea.’ So if an audience comes out wanting a kiss, then we’ve probably done alright, in my opinion.
His lead actors are on the same wavelength as him as Berry said,
Once they kiss, then it’s over. We’re hoping if we get to do a second one, we’ll let that chase continue. You want to see the journey — to see these two high school sweethearts find each other.
Wahlberg added that if The Union does go ahead and get itself a sequel, he is certain that there would be “a lot more than a kiss.” Despite keeping the kiss out, things didn’t work out too well for the film is it’s clear by its reviews.
However, keeping such an intimate moment locked away for the future might just be what The Union needs to keep viewers engaged. This might allow the film to come back with a bang and do things better the next time around.
Why Twisters Didn’t Include a Kiss
While The Union postponed the kiss in hopes of a sequel, Twisters kept it out of the film for a totally different reason. Starring Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones, Twisters was one of the most hyped-up films of 2024 and it sure did deliver! However, seeing the chemistry between the lead actors, the viewers sat in hopes of seeing them kiss at the end of the film.
Unfortunately for the lovers of love, nothing of the sort happened. However, the actors actually filmed a kiss and it was one of the most dramatic and grand expressions of love, with Powell’s Tyler sprinting through an airport to find Edgar-Jones’ Kate.
Talking to Entertainment Weekly, director Lee Isaac Chung stated that the kiss was “very polarizing.”
I feel like audiences are in a different place now in terms of wanting a kiss or not wanting a kiss. I actually tried the kiss, and it was very polarizing …This [no-kiss shot] was the other option that I had filmed on the day, and I got to say, ‘I like it better. I think it’s a better ending.’
As for why the kiss was cut from the film, Chung stated that he didn’t want to reduce Kate’s journey to a kiss. Despite his efforts, this decision was not met with positive feedback from the fans. Take a look at their reactions for yourself:
It’s so fucked up that they cut out the Glen and Daisy kiss at the end of Twisters. We used to be a society.
— Spencer (@TomFordCollins) July 21, 2024
whichever politician puts the glen powell and daisy kiss back into twisters is getting my vote for the november election pic.twitter.com/QfgQYi8teI
— n (@ceokimjisoos) July 21, 2024
just stood up at the end of my Twisters screening and announced to everyone that they cut out the glen and daisy kiss. an angry mob has formed and we are seizing the AMC
— todd bonzalez (@doinkpatrol) July 20, 2024
[twisters spoiler below!!!!!]
WHO LEFT THE KISS SCENE BETWEEN GLEN AND DAISY'S CHARACTERS ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR I'M????? pic.twitter.com/gt3YqejZe9
— JOANNA (@Jobazzle) July 18, 2024
gonna see twisters again. hopefully daisy and glen kiss this time
pic.twitter.com/Vs6GQeTsmL— lina (@evermoresivy) July 28, 2024
Now, while this didn’t work for Twisters, it may end up working for Wahlberg and Berry’s film. That is if they do end up going into a sequel. After all, there is nothing we love more than a slow-burn romance!
Stream The Union on Netflix. You can rent/buy Twisters from Prime Video.
