Book of Love

A storytelling trope as old as time. Two polar-opposite singles resentfully forced together. Clashes ensue. Barriers are broken. Love emerges. Book of Love is the new addition to the classic rom-com setup, this time embracing a multi-cultural crossover.

Six months into its release and just two attendees at his book reading, Henry Copper (Sam Claflin) comes to the realisation that his new book The Sensible Heart is a flop. That is, until his oddly American publisher with no team behind her, informs him his debut is a smash hit in Mexico. Twenty-four hours later, he’s on a plane to North America to bask in his unexpected success, only to find – in true rom-com style – things aren’t as they seem. His beloved book, having been translated into Spanish, is now a Fifty Shades-esque erotic novel, and Copper is begrudgingly required to tour with Maria (Verónica Echegui), the woman behind it.

Book of Love has its moments. A sweet ensemble of supporting characters manages to just keep it afloat. Maria’s young son Diego (Ruy Gaytan) and grandfather Max (Fernando Becerril) provide the film’s funnier and more touching scenes. The array of Copper’s unbeknownst fangirls also delivers quality comic relief with their inexplicably sexualised one-liners. As for our love interests, there isn’t much more to say other than they work better solo than united. Echegui has a resilient and memorable presence as Maria, and it was refreshing seeing an independent and intelligent woman on-screen. Claflin embodies a young Hugh Grant in his stiff Brit Henry and his fish-out-of-water moments have some charm. Both have likeable qualities in their respective parts, however, together, they lack any notable chemistry. Their transition from resentment to affection doesn’t feel believable and their romance scenes remain lacklustre. The antagonist here, Maria’s unreliable ex Antonio (Horacio García Rojas), is also a one-dimensional caricature of possibly a telenovela type. If intentional, this exaggeration falls flat comedy-wise.

Director Analeine Cal y Mayor’s sincerity seeps through sporadically here. Her intentions are visible but feel just out of reach. The moving parts of Book of Love work well, however, when pieced together, lose something in the process. In saying this though, the glossy surface rom-com is hard to find these days, and they do tickle many. Maybe in these trying times, its familiarity and escapism are exactly what we need, just as long as you don’t delve too deep.

Book of Love
In cinemas now
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