Henry Turner from the Campus Circle is quoted on the cover of the DVD stating that Loco Love is “The funniest film since ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’” What I would like to ask Henry is “Dude what were you smoking and where can I get some?” This utterly lifeless and unfunny “comedy” is the first of what I would expect to be a long line of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” clones. I mean let’s face it “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” worked because of a great story, great cast and a very funny script. Let’s say that Loco Love falls … little short – if you want to call a little short zero for three. For a film that is supposed to be dealing with adultery, racism, immigration and class struggle Loco Love definitely falls short of the mark.
The plot is horribly predictable and cliché. It follows the story of Donald, a man who marries into a rich family and through that relationship is able to acquire his own restaurant – his life’s dream. However, when his wife tells him that she’s been unfaithful and is now expecting a child by another man she drops him as fast as the movie studio should have dropped this film. As a result he loses his restaurant. This is followed by a really poor excuse for comedy as they show his failed suicide attempts. As fate would have it, his salvation lies with his Mexican gardener, Miguel, whom he has mistreated in the past with various racial insults. Miguel wins a lottery and wants to bring his sister, Catalina, to the US but she has had immigration difficulties. You can see where this is going. Miguel wants Donald to marry his sister and bring her to the US. Donald reluctantly agrees but predictably begins to fall in love with Catalina and vice versa much to Miguel’s chagrin. Throw in Donald’s ex-wife whom now wants to get back with him and you’ve got the makings of a lack luster Three’s Company episode.
Video
The Film is presented in 1.33: 1 format. The transfer is excellent. The video quality is sharp with solid colors and good skin tones. This move has a very bright and wide color palatte, which comes across beautifully on screen. The scenes in the day are bright and vivid and the scenes at night are lit very well with no compromise of the image. The black level was well set. There was no evidence of artifacting or edge distortion. As well there was no bleeding of the image in bright scenes.
Audio
The Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround mix was well done. There is good dynamic response for the music, which ranges from classical to pop to traditional Mexican music (the guitars sound very good) – decent bass effects – and clean crisp dialogue. There is some separation of sound into the surround speakers for ambient sounds i.e. car moving into the background, but otherwise no real use for the surround speakers in a movie such as this.
Special Features
The extras comprise of a commentary track by the director that offers further insight into the production, a 10 minute behind-the-scenes featurette and a selection of 3 deleted scenes which don’t add much to the film.
Final Thoughts:
This film had potential but it quickly dissolves within the first 10 minutes. If you want “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” then watch “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” because this is anything but.
Special Features List
- Audio Commentary
- Behind-the-scenes featurette
- 3 Deleted Scenes
