How to Be a Latin Lover (2017)

How to Be a Latin Lover is a sunny, crowd-pleasing comedy that lets Eugenio Derbez do what he does best: turn vanity, desperation, and big romantic gestures into a surprisingly sweet ride. The jokes land with a breezy, witty rhythm, but the movie’s real charm is how it sneaks in a warm-hearted pulse beneath the farce, letting its characters feel human even when they’re being ridiculous. It’s glossy, broad, and happily a little shameless in its sitcom-style setups, which makes it an easy watch when you want laughs with a side of sentiment. If you prefer your comedies sharp-edged or subtle, it may feel too fluffy—but if you’re on the fence and craving something funny, charming, and unapologetically entertaining, this one earns its date-night spot.

How to Be a Latin Lover wants to be a crowd-pleasing fish-out-of-water comedy with a little heart, following a pampered gigolo suddenly forced to live like the rest of us. The problem is it leans hard on broad, stereotype-y jokes and predictable beats, so a lot of the humor feels stale and the tone can swing unevenly between silly antics and forced sentiment. If you’re sensitive to caricatures or you want sharper, more inventive comedy, this will probably feel like it’s going through the motions. On the plus side, Eugenio Derbez brings committed energy and there are a few warm, family-centered moments that may land if you’re in the mood for lightweight, low-effort laughs.