Review: 'Book of Love' an Effervescent, Fluffy Rom-Com

Rom-coms and romance novels are often denigrated for lacking merit. Don't sexy melodramas deserve veneration, too?

Written and directed by Analeine Cal y Mayor and co-written by David Quantick, "Book of Love" stars Sam Claflin and Verónica Echegui. Henry Copper (Claflin) is a British author whose latest novel isn't selling well in the UK. But his novel is a bestseller in Mexico. Traveling to Mexico for a publicity tour, Henry meets Maria Rodríguez (Echegui), his novel's Spanish translator, who, unbeknownst to him, changed his originally restrained love story to a sexy, torrid romance.

Reading from his book "Sensible Heart," Henry describes love as "practical" and "sturdy," extolling the virtues of chastity. Art can exude passion and emotional eroticism without sex (like "The Age of Innocence"). But Henry's novel sounds dull and boring.

Arriving in Mexico, Henry and Maria's airport meet-cute involves him making the sexist assumption that a man – her grandfather Max (Fernando Becerril) – is the translator, as Maria is credited by her initials.

Audiences treat Henry like a rock star. Women and men look star struck, clutching his book and gazing seductively at him. A woman throws panties onstage. Fans – men and women alike – send Henry salacious videos on social media.

In her racy translation, Maria compares sex to "beasts in the desert heat" and dragons in a volcano. Insulted and angry, Henry calls Maria's translation a "bucket of filth" and "monstrous sack of pornography." Maria also (thankfully) changes various characters to queer, and adds gay characters. Unfortunately, this bewilders Henry, as he (frustratingly) never thought to write queer characters.

Henry and Maria begrudgingly take a road trip through Mexico (including Mexico City and Palenque) for book tour events – along with her son Diego (Ruy Gaytan), Max, and Pedro (Horacio Villalobos), Henry's queer-coded publisher in Mexico.

While the cast is good, Verónica Echegui stands out. She gives a fantastic performance, breathing life into the role. Maria making Henry's novel sexier could arguably have perpetuated the Spicy Latina trope. But Maria is a complex, multifaceted character. Aspiring to author her own novel, she jots notes for characters for a book she doesn't have time to write, as she's a single mother juggling three jobs. I particularly appreciated how her breath catches in her throat in an emotional scene discussing writing.

Sam Claflin has portrayed roles both charming ("Their Finest") and malevolent ("The Nightingale) with equal ability. While Henry has led a privileged life, it appears to have been a lonely one. Vulnerability peeks through his rigid demeanor.

"Book of Love" boasts a vibrant, eye-catching color palette. Bright greens, yellows, and lush plants fill Maria's house, a stark contrast to the cool-toned color palette in London. Henry's UK book cover is plain white juxtaposed with vivid, bold reds and a couple in a passionate embrace on the Mexican cover.

Henry discounts comparisons of his novel to a telenovela. Maria challenges him, countering their "excitement" and "emotion" – a pointed commentary on how melodramas deserve praise, yet often are dismissed, perhaps partly because they cater to an intended female audience.

Like so many rom-coms (granted, a genre I adore), "Book of Love" is predicated on deception. The leads bicker. Henry idealizes love; Maria cynically believes love is "a mirage" that disappoints. But, of course, it means they're perfect for each other, following rom-com conventions.

Maria and Henry share sweet moments: Henry slowly learns Spanish and cheers up Diego; Maria covers a sleeping Henry. The rom-com's climax careens from tender to melodramatic, absurdity mirroring a telenovela.

Effervescent and fluffy, "Book of Love" entertained me. I enjoyed Echegui's performance, the focus on Maria's aspirations, the commentary on masculinity and sexism (including how women don't always receive deserved credit), and inclusion of queer fans and characters. It's not a groundbreaking nor exceptional film. Yet, it remains charming – a fun distraction.

"Book of Love" streams on Prime Video on February 4, 2022.