Search - Amor de Hombre on DVD

Almodovar Lite

Bill | Seattle, Washington United States | 03/12/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This perfectly enjoyable but somewhat forgettable movie is Almodovar Lite. If you like that previously-quirky-and-now-more-serious Spanish director, then you'll find "Amor de Hombre" a good way to pass the time.The story is very simple: A rather immature, attractive gay man claims he wants a relationship, but all his actions indicate otherwise. This causes exasperation in his female bosom buddy, who can't seem to find a straight man of her own. That's about it. It's well made, though, and has some funny moments. I'd recommend these other films of a similar type more highly: Italy's "His Secret Life" (extremely good - read my review for that one), Brazil's "Possible Loves" (a "Sliding Doors" concept, with excellent performances) and Spain's "Km. 0" (not perfect, but charming)."

Professional Life, Hedonism and the Meaning of Friendship

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"AMOR DE HOMBRE is a smaart, snappy, fast-paced, entertaining little film which considering its release date of 1997 was a precursor to the now frequent appearance of films that deal with tender relationships between gay men and straight women ('My Best Friend's Wedding' and all the spin-offs). It is a smart script, well cast and acted and directed and scored and should be given the chance for a theater release now, in more expansive gender-friendly times.

Ramón (Andrea Occhipinti) is a handsome, successful lawyer in Madrid who happens to be gay and unlike most of his friends has not settled into a partnership. His closest friend is Esperanza (Loles León) who is a divorced school teacher, just turned 40, who love Ramón and constantly tries to help him find the 'right man' while Ramón tries to help her find her 'right man'. They party together with all of Ramón's professional friends - doctors, businessmen, teachers - and Ramón is hedonistic enough to have a different be partner every evening. After an automobile accident in which Ramón is injured, Esperanza moves in to care for him, a care that includes asking one of her fellow Phys Ed teachers Roberto (Armando del Río) to offer physical therapy and massage to the ailing Ramón. Because Roberto seems to rebuff Ramón's growing obsession with an unattainable straight man, the therapy ends when Ramón is able to walk. A twist occurs once Ramón is well and Roberto changes roles and is seductive to Ramón, a romance that comes to a tragic ending. In the end it is the quality of friendship between Ramón and Esperanza that provides the lasting nucleus of this tale.

It is refreshing to see a film that focuses on healthy men who happen to be gay instead of a series of beleaguered victims of the usual stereotypes who end up with hopeless tragic lives. Yes, the circle of friends seems always on the watch for the 'new man on the block', but the cruising is healthy and fun. The movie works so well because of the fine writing and direction by an amazing team - Yolanda García Serrano
Juan Luis Iborra - who seem to have pared down life in Madrid's professional sector with a fresh eye on variety! The cast is superb with special kudos to Loles León and Andrea Occhipinti. This is a light and very entertaining comedy with a message. Recommended. In Spanish with English subtitles. Grady Harp, September 05"

WILL AND GRACE OLE

GEORGE RANNIE | DENVER, COLORADO United States | 05/15/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Amor de Hombre" is a movie that has a great script, good direction, good acting, plenty of "eye candy" and about everything that I usually enjoy in a movie especially one that is based on a "gay theme". So why have I only given it three (3) stars? I'm afraid that the two main characters annoyed me immensely.

Ramon is a gay man that fits so nauseatingly well the stereotypical view of a very shallow young gay man. He is very handsome and is always looking for "Mister Right"; however, no man is good enough or manly enough for him. In the film, when he does supposedly fall in love it's with an, at first, unavailable thug. In the film his only true love is, of course, Esperanza who is a 40 something year old extreme "fag hag".

The character of Esperanza really annoyed the hell out of me. She is a one of the most possessive, irritatating and manipulative types of person that I have ever seen in a movie. The type that I feel needs to get a life of her own. She just can't find a straight man to her liking or more importantly one that is similar to her gay friend Ramon who she also does not want to have anyone else but her. Therefore, she does everything in her power to sabotage any relationship Ramon just might have and is always there to comfort and hold his hand when life ain't working out, for him, too well. The weakling character of Ramon is, of course, very easily manipulated by Esperanza. The movie ends where we started with Esperanza and Ramon platonically kissing, at sunset, on a beautiful beach. She's happy and I'm sure that he's happy-after all tomorrow they'll still be looking for Mister Right; however, they'll ALWAYS have each other. In other words this movie is a feature length Spanish version of the television sitcom "Will and Grace".
"

Amor de Hombre

Joseph Kimbrell | Los Angeles | 02/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Really good Spanish movie that reflects the deep and sincere friendship that can be developed among 2 different type of individuals, excellent performances, and good script, out of the ordinary, I'll recommended strongly to anyone with an open criteria."