7 Mujeres, 1 Homosexual y Carlos (2004)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Pretty Good

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

I was never one to stay home during an off-work or school day and watch Channel 33, or, the Spanish channel and their Spanish Soap Operas. But, I'm guessing if I did, 7 Mujeres 1 Homosexual y Carlos (or 7 Women, One Homosexual and Carlos) would be exactly like them.Nevertheless, this movie was entertaining, lighthearted and funny. There were more than a few scenes that made me laugh out loud. And if it weren't for the quick male backside and very little language, this could be for any age, or PG.My only problems is that, as good as it is, it's really nothing too deep or fully interesting, i.e. soap opera. And the title, though completely woven into the script (over and over and over) is thoroughly misleading – there are really only 2 women and the homosexual is simply flashed on screen (or it's suspected since he stereotypically snaps his fingers.) No one should expect a comedy where he needs to bed 7 women and a homosexual – spoiler: this is NOT that kind of movie.We have newlywed Carlos (Ochmann,) due to a broken condom and hence – of course, a baby on the way. He's at his job, balancing his ragingly nagging, selfish/self-centered bride and a seductive woman at work and a chauvinistic boss who prides himself in infidelity. Though tempted, incessantly, he must learn about his life, if he's happy and how to handle such a materialistic spouse.It's cute (as is Ochmann!) and harmless. Though foreign and with subtitles, it feels so…American. So a lot of my fellow Americans can relate. Unfortunately, however, they do talk fast, so you better read fast, and the music playing is occasionally overlapping the dialogue, so be prepared to separate/distinguish between lyrics and dialogue. It's recommended just for a little light-hearted fun.

7 mujeres, un homosexual y Carlos is a misleading title, one that would indicate the possibility of a racy sexploitation movie about seven women and a homosexual involved with a guy named Carlos. This rather bland little film written and directed by Rene Bueno is anything but that. Though well photographed and cast the film never rises much above a TV novella, and for those who love the daytime soaps, then this is sure to please.Carlos (Mauricio Ochmann) narrates the story and informs us that he has had only one love since childhood - Camila (Adriana Fonseca), a girl whose family has high hopes for their daughter. When Camila and Carlos discover Camila is pregnant at 18 the couple decide to marry, much to the disappointment of Camila's father. But marry they do, and the fun-loving relationship becomes married life with all its consequences: Camila begins revamping Carlos' way of dressing and acting, Carlos quits school to get a job with an ad agency instead of working for Camila's father at a more lucrative position.At Carlos' office it is de rigueur for married men to have mistresses, as is so embarrassingly pointed out when Carlos is tricked into opening the door of his boss (Luis Felipe Tovar) en flagrante with his secretary (Veronica Segura). Also working in the office as 'office decor' is a vampy buxom girl (Ninel Conde) who informs Carlos that he needs to have an affair with her...in order to succeed in the man's world. The slogan "Every man gets 7 women and 1 homosexual" is repeatedly used by the office staff, making the real world one that not only condones but glorifies infidelity.How this temptation is dealt with by Carlos and influences his marriage is the gist of this film. Pretty squeaky-clean. Though there are no deep moments to salvage a superficial script the movie survives on the merits of some of the cast members. It is a bit of saccharine fluff, but an OK film for a summer evening. In Spanish with English subtitles. Grady Harp