How to Be a Latin Lover (2017)

The Worst Film Ever

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Such a cute feel good movie. I actually laughed out load a few times and I dont do that very often. I recommend it.

Why couldn't I move away from it while zapping on TV? Because it's funny! Not too gross, not over-predictable, not forced, and with really hilarious scenes, which is so rare these days (to say the least). Perhaps it's a bit too long and the pace slows down sometimes, or the plot comes dangerously close to mushy every now and then especially towards the closing, but all in all it's a good comedy. Obviously it has some predictable premise and situations, but they are treated in an intelligent way, which makes them really hilarious sometimes. It's a comedy, folks, it's not supposed to be rocket science or deep psychology, so it's refreshing to see such a theme treated with wit and decency as much as possible. It has excellent acting by the main actors (and, surprisingly, Rob Corddry), a good script, and perhaps some cuts would have transformed it in a very good comedy. As such it's only good.

My wife and I watched this on DVD from our public library. It has a rather low IMDb rating and I wasn't expecting much but it surprised me, it is very well made and very entertaining. A few of the sight gags fell flat for me but I'd say 75% of it worked.The opening scene sets the tone when we see the Mexican dad of little Maximo and Sara die in an accident. I won't spoil the details but I will describe it after "SPOILERS" at the end of my comments. Anyway seeing how his hard-working dad died just like that little 11-yr-old Maximo decides he wants a different life, he intends to find a wealthy older woman to marry so that he can live a life of luxury.The story cuts to 10 years later in California and an attractive, athletic Maximo in a skimpy swim suit finds his target at a resort. (In an interesting casting choice the actor is the 21-yr-old son of the actor who plays Maximo at age 46.)So cut to 25 years later and Maximo is a somewhat out-of-shape 46 (actor is 50-something) and with his elderly wife of 25 years he leads a life of luxury, has lots of expensive cars, has servants do everything for him. Until his wife finds a younger man and the prenup means Maximo is out on the street with nothing.So most of the story starts here, Maximo needs a place to stay while he hunts for his next wealthy wife, he looks up his sister Sara after all those years, meets his nephew Hugo. His life now really does become a comedy of errors and missteps. The movie works for several reasons. The first is director Ken Marino who keeps it all in a somewhat sympathetic manner, the bad people here aren't really that bad. Second the acting and comic timing of Eugenio Derbez who plays the 46-yr-old Maximo. And third the large number of friends of Marino who agreed to take roles in this movie. The main one is Salma Hayek who is really great as his adult sister Sara. And young Raphael Alejandro as Hugo who is mentored by uncle Maximo on how to be suave and get the girls.A very entertaining comedy for those in the mood for this type of entertainment.SPOILERS: In the opening scene it is made clear that Maximo's dad always said "You get what you work for, not what you wish for." He drove a truck and was gone often but this day Maximo and Sara, along with their mom, are waiting outside for dad as he drove his truck towards their home. But he was falling asleep, he crashed into the house as the family members scrambled to safety and went all the way through it. After a very short sigh of relief the fuel truck exploded with dad still inside. That set the tone for the rest of the movie, a bit dark, but comedic, on the slightly absurd side.

Most comedies that have been released this year were pretty much horrendous and treat viewers like they have an IQ of -50. With that being said, How to Be a Latin Lover is a true breath of fresh air, it's been a while since a movie made me feel this good and it definitely deserves a higher rating that 5.8.The storyline is simple, main characters charming, writing witty, the acting is top-notch especially from Eugenio Derbez, the jokes are not forced which is a rarity nowadays and there are many laugh out loud moments that are nicely spread throughout the movie so it never loses momentum and becomes dull despite being almost 2 hours long.If you are looking for a quality charming feel-good movie don't miss this one and ignore all the bad reviews, fun is guaranteed.