Large Audience Helps “How To Be A Latin Lover” Reach Number 2 On Opening Weekend, Surprises Everyone But Latinos

Andrew Santiago - 05/01/17 - entertainment
credit: PantelionFilms / Youtube

The film “How To Be A Latin Lover,” whose title and trailer originally made some people cringe a little, did exceptionally well at the box office this weekend. The film features Mexican comedy star Eugenio Derbez and actress Salma Hayek as siblings reunited. The film was second at the box office only to “F8: The Fate Of The Furious,” which is itself an international phenomenon with millions of fans worldwide and sequels galore. What I’m saying is it did pretty well up against a giant.


Eugenio Derbez and Salma Hayek brought their comedy chops and international appeal to “How To Be A Latin Lover.”

Credit: Movieclips Trailers / Youtube

It really looked like they had on-screen chemistry. You don’t really slap someone unless you care. At least that’s what abuela told me.


Lots of people on Twitter reacted positively to the film.


Some people were in tears.


Others highlighted that it appealed to them for being bilingual.

It’s rare to find a film that appeals to a bilingual audience.


This person liked it so much, it made her forget how percentages work.

But her math checks out if you do long division. How, you say? Um, because trust me.


And apparently in some places, the film’s draw was so huge they could barely fit people in the theater.

I guess don’t all go at 8, guys?


Not everyone who saw “Latin Lover” loved it, though.


Some went in with high hopes and were disappointed.

I guess if you’re expecting a high-brow film, from a trailer with poop jokes, you might be disappointed, too.

Some really didn’t like it.

Alexis Pereira Commentary

Any takers on this bet? This comedian, Alexis Pereira, had some interesting dissenting opinions about the film. He wrote about his thoughts in a blog post on his website. In it, he goes on to say “The movie has more monotone, middle-aged white guys than the ’53 Yankees.” Dang, maybe the film isn’t as diverse or Latino as it’s made out to seem?


Comedian Cristela Alonzo had a pretty good response for anyone surprised that “Latin Lover” beat out Tom Hanks and Emma Watson’s new film.

89%


Alonzo made another great point about Derbez.

Basically, Derbez, as we all know, is so popular in the Latino and more specifically, the Mexican community, there’s no way a film with him in it would flop with as many Latinos as there are in the U.S.


At its very worst, a film like “How To Be A Latin Lover” is re-enforcing stereotypes for laughs.

Credit: PantelionFilms / Youtube

Many feel, and rightly so, that using these tired tropes of the hyper sexualized, machismo Latino, alpha-male, is way outdated in 2017.


At its very best, however, it can be seen as a film where Latinos are making fun of themselves, which we’re really good at.

Credit: PantelionFilms / Youtube

And encouraging diversity in film, while showing that Latino actors have drawing power at a time when movie attendance is at a record low, could be seen as great goals to achieve from one goofy film.


Also let’s not forget, Eugenio Derbez can use a “hoverboard” better than you.


What did you think of the film? Sound off in the comment section below!


[H/T]‘How to Be a Latin Lover’ and ‘Baahubali 2’ Show Power at Box Office

READ: Salma Hayek And Eugenio Derbez React To Most Absurd Questions People Ask About Them On Google


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