Amor de hombre (1997) User Reviews

A man's love

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 23 January 2006]

The directors of this film wanted to present a funny take on a serious subject. Yolanda Garcia Serrano and Juan Luis Iborra, who also wrote the screen play, show us a side of the gay life in Spain, which depicts their life as a mature way for them to interact in their world and lead social lives that appear to be rewarding.

Into the equation, the directors have thrown a woman, Esperanza, who is a typical "fag hag". Her friendship with Ramon, the man at the center of the story, is an uncommon one. Ramon basically depends on "Espe" as a means of support and friendship. In fact, their friendship seems to be deeper than what it appears on the surface, and Esperanza is a true friend that will be there for Ramon all the time, something that he takes for granted, as proved when he gets involved with Roberto.

The film has a few laughs because of the humor the creators have given the production. Loles Leon makes a fun Esperanza. Andrea Occhipinti is the hunky Ramon. Armando del Rio appears as Roberto, who undergoes a change from not being interested in Ramon, and suddenly throwing himself into his arms, but he has an agenda that will be revealed at the end.

Dialog heavy movie

[flowerboy · 7/10 · 19 May 2005]

For one thing, I found the movie terrible verbose, dialog heavy. I was going crazy trying to read the sub-titles and watching the sexy stuff going on the screen at the same time. And in the end, I didn't feel much empathy towards either of the lead characters, especially the guy, who seemed one hell of a selfish pain in the ass to have as a friend. And it seemed weird having one single straight woman and every other character in the movie (including the one guy she's shown dating) turning out to be gay. In the final analysis, the best part of the movie was the birthday cake that was so lovingly baked during the titles - I drooled.

co-dependency

[druben2 · 2/10 · 29 May 2005]

I'll come right to the point: this movie endorses a relationship where a woman is at the beck and call of a histrionic drama queen of a gay man. She has no life and is always available to take care of the poor man who sleeps with lots of guys but falls in love with one that does him wrong. Neither of the characters develop or grow despite the illusion of a "sensitive loving friendship." Its not. Feminists will be furious with this characterization of the all giving "fag-hag" and the narcissistic and selfish gad-about gay man who takes advantage of her. Is this the way Spanish women are still brought up in Spain to pander to man's every whim? I thought this movie was going to expose how sick this relationship was but instead it created a illusory romantic happy ending, so I can't help but think the filmmaker was sentimentalizing and endorsing it. Not a good message for this day and age.

Great movie despite the cliches and overworked theme

[gonz30 · 9/10 · 3 August 1999]

The Spanish dramatic sit-com, AMOR DE HOMBRE (Is translation necessary?) is a fresh and (for non-Spaniards) foreign take on what is becoming a deluge of "the perfect gay man as a girl's best friend" movies. To be objective, one must remember this movie was released before THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION, MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING, and RELAX, IT'S JUST SEX (to mention but a few) and two years before Madonna and Rupert Everett started playing the story out in the "real" world, and on film next year. The plot of AMOR has just the right number of interesting (stereotypical can be interesting) characters, and believable situations (the gay caracters DO have sex lives) to make the movie work on comedic and dramatic levels. The unusual depiction of gay men as "normal" yuppies (doctors, lawyers and teachers; no hair dressers or designers here), who like straights, have lives of their own, lends crossover appeal to the arthouse crowd.

Professional Life, Hedonism and the Meaning of Friendship in Madrid

[gradyharp · 9/10 · 11 September 2005]

AMOR DE HOMBRE is a smart, 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 and 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

Spain's "amor de hombre" depicted with great humor, wit and compassion

[ccmiller1492 · 8/10 · 20 June 2005]

Kudos to everyone involved in this production. Spain's "amor de hombre" is depicted with great wit, style, humor and compassion. As usual, Andrea Occhipinti as the fickle lawyer Ramon stands out. Loles Leon as the ever hopeful, helpful and aptly named Esperanza is his perfect foil. Throughout the course of the film it becomes evident that even with a basic sexual incompatibility these two people genuinely care for each other so much that it is unlikely that each would ever find a better mate. The sequences where each tries to fix the other up with a lover are hilarious and touching. Even the most minor characters are well drawn including the lowlife Roberto who is such a disappointment to Ramon.

A Story about Love, life and friendship

[ULizardi · 10/10 · 20 February 2006]

I loved this movie. It had its funny moments what with esperanza being a woman of some restraint, and Ramon being a giant pervert. There friendship is epic, all because you can see the true love there. It is moving, and I loved watching it. maybe they could have gone into a more detailed view on the lives of the other supporting characters, but what we saw of them was good. Sad yet loving, this movie has it all!

I do recommend this film if you are looking for something with love and a little humor.This is probably a good view into the world around us, and how different it is.It might help you appreciate what you have and give you a look into what you don't want to have!

Thoroughly enjoyable comedy with a superb performance by LOLES LEON

[jaybob · 8/10 · 3 January 2009]

Yes the the star of this movie is one of Spains leading TV & film actresses.Her performance has won a few festival awards as best actress in 1997.I doubt this film had any major release in the USA.It should have.

Its is a rare gay themed comedy that is free of the usual clichés we find in films of this sort, made in the USA.

Miss Leon is a teacher & her best friend is a lawyer who just happens to be gay. They have mostly gay friends BUT they to do not fit the typical stereotypes.

Yes there are some bitchy lines but lines like that are in many modern comedies.

This delight was written and directed by Yolanda Garcia Serrono & Juan Luis Iborra.

Only quibbles I have is that the running time of 88 minutes seems a bit draggy in spots & occasionally the subtitles are a bit hard to read..

All in all this is a far better gay themed film than what has been released by US film makers.

Ratings *** (out of 4) 86 points (out of 100) IMDb 8 (out of 10)

Great Gay comedy in Spanish

[Rambler-5 · 9/10 · 12 December 2000]

Very well developed plot incorporating nice looking guys and the ubiquitous, ever-loving; ever-forgiving fag-hag! I did enjoy the Spanish dialog (though sometimes a bit too fast). A film that exemplifies the value of true friendship. Lovers come and go, but friends are always near to advise and console; for better or for worse.

Realistic view of gay relationships and it's diversity

[danco-2 · 9/10 · 11 December 2000]

This film shows the rainbow of relationships among gay men. It ranges from the long-term to the hustler looking for a partner to take financial advantage of. But most important, it portrays the yearning of most gay men to find a lifelong partner and to simply be loved.

It's really a bad film!!

[isaias adames · 31 October 2000]

There's very little in this movie that makes you film that you didn't waste your time. While you are seeing it there aren't no surprise elements. A promiscuous gay guy whose best friend is the closest person he has and the relationship that develops between them.