Book of Love (2022)

Streaming Service: Amazon Prime
Movie Name/Year: Book of Love (2022)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Length: 106 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Production/Distribution: Buzzfeed Studios, Blazing Griffin, BondIt Media Capital, Head Gear Films, Kreo Films FZ, Metrol Technology, NOW Films, Pimienta Films, Vertigo Films, Shaw Organisation, Amazon Prime Video, Falcon Films, Sky Cinema, XYZ Films
Director: Analeine Cal y Mayor
Writer: Analeine Cal y Mayor, David Quantick
Actors: Sam Claflin, Verónica Echegui, Fernando Becerril, Ruy Gaytan, Horacio Villalobos, Horacio Garcia Rojas, Lucy Punch, Edwarda Gurrola, Melissa Pino, Daniela Luque, Giovani Florido
 
Blurb from IMDb: Two writers thrown together on a book tour in Mexico.
 

Selina’s Point of View:
I was never fully sold on Book of Love. Even upon first seeing the trailer, I just didn’t buy the core aspects of the plot.
 
A writer falling in love with a translator that changed his whole novel just doesn’t seem at all realistic to me. I have never met a single writer that wouldn’t rather fall or fly on their own merit. I’m sure there are some out there, but it would be a severe outlier situation – which is not how it’s portrayed here.
 
Seeing the flick didn’t change my mind at all.
 
It’s saying something that I thought a romance film sitting at just under two hours felt rushed. I don’t know if I missed it, or what, but I couldn’t tell you why Henry fell in love with Maria. It happened because it was necessary for the plot, the story itself gave no reason why. He just went from angry to amor.
 

I also don’t believe the way Maria was written in the beginning. She seemed like she didn’t have a care in the world, but she KNEW she rewrote the book. She KNEW that Henry had no idea. What exactly did she think would happen in the interviews? I don’t get that. How did she not know there would be immediate consequences?
 
Despite my absolute annoyance at most of Book of Love, there were a few bits and pieces that felt like they deserved a place in a better movie.
 
The ending, for instance. Now, it went the road most traveled, there’s no denying that. If you start watching Book of Love, you will instantly know the ending. That said, the way it played out was hilarious. It was one of the best endings I’ve seen in a while.
 
I think Book of Love would have benefited from a bit more telenovela energy. It was there in the ending, but the rest of it was just so dry and obnoxious.
 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 42%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 60%
Metascore – 43%
Metacritic User Score – None
IMDB Score – 5.4/10
 
Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 2/5
 
Trust-the-Dice’s Parental Advisory Rating: R
 
P.S. Additional scene during the credits.
 
Movie Trailer: