Book of Love
Book of Love is trite and cliche, but there’s a kernel of something here that keeps you smiling and enjoying yourself.
Henry Copper (Sam Claflin) is a British author, who has written a truly terrible book that is barely selling in the UK. He is called in by his publisher, however, who informs him that the translation in Mexico is selling like hotcakes, and he is being sent on a tour there to speak to the masses about his #1 best seller. Once he lands, he joins the translator of his book, Maria Rodriguez (Veronica Echegui). As the tour kicks off, he begins to understand that the translation of his book is markedly different to his version; whereas his was slow, boring with nothing happening, the translation has been edited by Maria to be sexy, fun and dramatic. It’s now more telenova than thinkpiece. Initial feuds between the two give way to friendship, a second book, and maybe something more.
Directed by Analeine Cal y Mayor on what looks to be an absolute shoestring of a budget given the lack of location shots, Book of Love is a tried and true formulaic piece that fills every major and minor gap in the story with as many cliches as it can. Predictable in the extreme from the off, it plays out exactly as you expect it would throughout, with little surprise involved. Visually, there’s also a frequent disparity in the quality of shot we’re looking at, with some shots out of focus and blurry, and some really quality cinematographic work on display.
What’s surprising is that despite all of this, the film is actually quite a lot of fun. If you can turn your brain off, relax, and let what is effectively feel-good tripe wash over you, there’s a lot to love here. Sam Claflin, perennially engaged in work not to the caliber of his skills, here leans on a nerdy, early-Hugh Grant charm that works wonders throughout the film. Echegui, despite being frustrating in the first half with her underdeveloped character, shines in the second half of the film. Then there’s a couple of standout bit players in smaller roles too.
Couple that with a number of really fun scenes, and a telenovella ending that brings the book to life, and you’re left with a film that at times solicits a very real laugh, and ultimately warms the heart.
