Looking for Lola

While killing time on a Saturday morning, "Looking For Lola" came on HBO. I decided to give it a shot even though the description of the movie looked pretty bad. It was even worse than I could imagine. The movie was incredibly unbelievable and there was absolutely no on-screen chemistry between the lead actors that I found myself shaking my head almost every 10 minutes. Between Mike Greenbaum (lead actor) in scenes in which he skips the bill at a fancy restaurant and where Lola (lead actress) allows him to use her boss' house to fool his parents into thinking he's rich, it was almost as bad as him "daydreaming" about people around him doing the macarena (it was HORRIBLE!) and the two actors ultimately falling in love. I kept wanting to change the channel, but I was trying to give it every chance into becoming a cute love story with a few chuckles. It never did. In fact, it became so bad that I decided to finish it just so I can claim that I watched one of the worst films ever made in it's entirety, instead of being criticized for not "giving it a fair chance". The last scene where Lola tries out for a dance part was the culmination of the movie. She comes in late after getting married (even that scene where Mike tells the priest to hurry up and then just snatches the papers away claiming that it's done was in tune with the believability of this movie), and then somehow "convinces" the judges to give her a look. The two male judges are already put-off with how late she is. But after watching her waif around the stage (ok, she dances fine, but not overly impressive), everybody joins in including Lola and Mike's families, other dancers that were there, and *cough* even the judges. Bad, horrible, terrible. It was so bad I had to write a review. Watch at your own risk.

When I saw this film recently on HBO, it was broadcast under the title 'Looking for Lola' rather than 'Macarena.' That was probably a good idea. Why identify your movie with an ephemeral dance fad that was over about the time it began? Besides, movies about recent "popular" dances have been nothing to write home about. (Remember 'The Forbidden Dance?')

This film needed the help. Its familiar story of the unlikely boy/girl couple thrown together and hating/loving each other is rather predictable, and the paths it takes are pretty pedestrian at times. On the other hand, this is a movie that asks for and depends on the good will of its audience, and the writing and characters are likable enough so that one might be willing to indulge it a bit. Unless you are terminally sophisticated, you'll probably have a few laughs at it. Not a hardy recommendation, but at least I give it a "thumbs up."

This movie was so frustrating. Everything seemed energetic and I was totally prepared to have a good time. I at least thought I'd be able to stand it. But, I was wrong. First, the weird looping? It was like watching "America's Funniest Home Videos". The damn parents. I hated them so much. The stereo-typical Latino family? I need to speak with the person responsible for this. We need to have a talk. That little girl who was always hanging on someone? I just hated her and had to mention it. Now, the final scene transcends, I must say. It's so gloriously bad and full of badness that it is a movie of its own. What crappy dancing. Horrible and beautiful at once.

This movie was a complete hack of writing and directing, jumping to the end, not only was the end of the movie implausible but the direction and acting was not only bad, it was just plain embarrassing. I would write more about the movie, but why?

It is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I almost never like chic flicks. The movie has a very innocent perspective about life and does not contain any perversive or pornographic content as we see very often in comedies today. I find it to be an original projection of what "pure love" can be. It is amusing; you never get bored throughout the movie. It is definitely not appropriate for people who will not like "purity" in their relationships. My wife loved it too. She also claims that it is one of the best movies ever. It however does not have enough views to be accurately measured on the scale of achievements. Regardless the budget of the movie, the idea of the plot is definitely entertaining and keeps you "refreshed" throughout. The movie also have a pleasant "aftertaste". It gives you the image of a "childish" life where loyalty, beauty and dreams come to the senses and realization.