While the film delivers warm performances, Arroba Amor (@amor) doesn’t really challenge our views on modern dating or intimacy.
Valentine’s Day may have passed, but romance is always a good theme for the silver screen. Annabelle Mullen’s debut rom-com, Arroba Amor, just launched in Puerto Rican cinemas. The film follows Yulianna, played by Marisé Álvarez, a busy film producer who takes a two-month break in Galicia, Spain, as she seeks to discover herself and possibly find love.
Yuli is drowning in work. Her life revolves around hectic schedules and dealing with demanding partners, including the diva director of her current project. Amid this chaos, a doctor’s visit brings shocking news. She learns she has HPV and must consider her future as a potential mother, as time is not on her side. This diagnosis pushes Yuli to think deeply about her choices.
On her break in Spain, Yuli dives into the dating scene. She meets a mix of characters, from those seeking casual encounters to others who just don’t get her. The film aims to show the complexities of dating today, but much of it feels predictable. We know where the story is heading, which makes some of the joy—usually found in unpredictable romance—hard to feel.
The budding relationship between Yuli and Anxo, a local bartender, brings a charming light to the film. Their witty exchanges resonate well, providing levity and warmth. They generate the film’s notable moments, yet outside of their scenes, the supporting cast lacks depth and flair. This limitation is common in local productions, where the spotlight often shines solely on the lead, leaving others feeling hollow.
Modern Puerto Rican cinema often reflects real-life issues, but Arroba Amor misses these opportunities for deeper commentary. While the film explores today’s dating landscape, it does so without fully engaging with its themes. The focus remains shallow, relying on fleeting humor rather than offering meaningful insights into love and self-discovery. Ironically, the marketing hints at a richer exploration of romance than the film itself provides.
An interesting interactive marketing strategy involved inviting viewers to share their ideal relationship qualities on sticky notes displayed at the cinema. This resulted in people exchanging everything from lighthearted comments about celebrity crushes to serious notes expressing their relationship needs. It became a snapshot of contemporary desires for connection, especially significant after the isolation many felt during the pandemic. This creative effort tapped into the public longing to discuss love beyond digital platforms.
Moviegoers became part of a conversation, reflecting real emotions tied to dating in today’s world. While the film itself falters in delivering these complex dynamics, its marketing cleverly highlights our collective yearnings for connection. Arroba Amor captures the excitement of putting oneself out there, even if it struggles to go beyond surface-level portrayals of love.
This leads us to realize that a rom-com can be enjoyable and still leave us wanting more. There’s a charm in Yuli’s journey, but when the hype and marketing outshine the story itself, you’re left with a charming distraction rather than a transformative experience.
Arroba Amor was released in Puerto Rican cinemas on March 6, 2025. The U.S., U.K., and international release dates are still awaiting confirmation.
Check out this related article: Unpacking ‘Paul’: An Engaging Film Review by Eye For Film
Source link