In the bonus segment of the DVD of "How to Be a Latin Lover," the producers describe how the project was originally intended as a television sit com called "Trophy Wife." While the movie still has the feel of a television program, it was nonetheless adapted effectively into a lively though uneven film comedy.
The strength of the film was in the sight gags as we follow the travails of the likable loser Maximo, a gigolo on the loose in Los Angeles. Eugenio Derbez is good as the loser, who takes advantage of his sister for a home base for him to pursue his exploits as a gold digger.
The secondary characters in the film are well developed, especially the manager of a yogurt store played by Kristen Bell. Her bonding with Maximo provides one of the best subplots of the film. Salma Hayak is good as the sister, and Raquel Welch is a standout as the dowager pursued by Maximo.
While the dialogue was often erratic and uninspired, the visual appearance of the film was filled with extremely colorful location filming in Los Angeles. In the extra section of the DVD, director Ken Merino indicated that the production team took advantage of a rare tax break for an extended film shoot in L.A. The Echo Park location and a wonderful mansion were two of the most memorable scenic backdrops. The pink dollhouse was a creative and well-executed visual metaphor for the fantasy life pursued by Maximo.
In the bonus commentary, actor Eugenio Derbez described one of his favorite scenes where he plunged into a swimming pool covered in make-up, as he tries to impress his sugar mommy. It turns out that the make-up dissolves in the pool, leading to Maximo's banishment from the premises. There was also the motif of the "sexy walk" in which Maximo attempts to demonstrate some swagger to his young nephew; a number of Echo Park bystanders join in for the fun. In another memorable scene, Maximo and his sister sing and dance the salsa.
At those moments when the writers ran out of ideas, the energy level dissipated with the lackluster dialogue. The bonus segment includes a set of deleted scenes, many of which would have infused life into the film at key junctures. There were some very talented film artists involved in this film. Kudos especially to the costume designer and cinematographer.
The strength of the film was in the sight gags as we follow the travails of the likable loser Maximo, a gigolo on the loose in Los Angeles. Eugenio Derbez is good as the loser, who takes advantage of his sister for a home base for him to pursue his exploits as a gold digger.
The secondary characters in the film are well developed, especially the manager of a yogurt store played by Kristen Bell. Her bonding with Maximo provides one of the best subplots of the film. Salma Hayak is good as the sister, and Raquel Welch is a standout as the dowager pursued by Maximo.
While the dialogue was often erratic and uninspired, the visual appearance of the film was filled with extremely colorful location filming in Los Angeles. In the extra section of the DVD, director Ken Merino indicated that the production team took advantage of a rare tax break for an extended film shoot in L.A. The Echo Park location and a wonderful mansion were two of the most memorable scenic backdrops. The pink dollhouse was a creative and well-executed visual metaphor for the fantasy life pursued by Maximo.
In the bonus commentary, actor Eugenio Derbez described one of his favorite scenes where he plunged into a swimming pool covered in make-up, as he tries to impress his sugar mommy. It turns out that the make-up dissolves in the pool, leading to Maximo's banishment from the premises. There was also the motif of the "sexy walk" in which Maximo attempts to demonstrate some swagger to his young nephew; a number of Echo Park bystanders join in for the fun. In another memorable scene, Maximo and his sister sing and dance the salsa.
At those moments when the writers ran out of ideas, the energy level dissipated with the lackluster dialogue. The bonus segment includes a set of deleted scenes, many of which would have infused life into the film at key junctures. There were some very talented film artists involved in this film. Kudos especially to the costume designer and cinematographer.