February is here and we are constantly bombarded with all-things romance: películas, dulces, tarjetas, regalos y mas! In an effort to make use of the ambiente romantico or romantic mood of this month, I want to suggest 3 movies you can watch to practice your Spanish!
Photo taken by katiebordner found on Flickr.com with license CC BY 2.0
Prometo No Enamorarme
Prometo No Enamorarme or I promise not to Fall in Love, tells the story of Julieta and Ivan. Julieta is a cellist who is having marital problems with her musician husband Daniel. The agree to meet in the place where he proposed in Mexico City to work things out, but Daniel doesn’t show up. While waiting for her husband, she meets Ivan, a DJ who keeps her company. Together, they explore their mutual love for music and sound. Julieta and Ivan seem to have a connection, but Daniel’s arrival can ruin this. Will Daniel show up? Who will Julieta choose?
Promote No Enamorarme was released in 2018; It was also released with the name Helena. The Spanish movie review site Tomatazos gives it an approval rating of 79%. You can watch the trailer below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liBeDUXMa9w
Arráncame La Vida
Based on the novel by Ángeles Mastretta, Arráncame la Vida was one of the biggest movie productions of its time in Mexico. The movie is set in the city of Puebla in the 1930s and follows the life of Catalina. At a very young age, Catalina marries the local political and military general Andrés Ascencio. When his political career grows, they move to Mexico City to further his chances of becoming president. In Mexico City, Catalina meets Carlos, a young orchestra conductor who is involved in organizations fighting to remove the military and corrupt leaders like Andrés. Catalina and Carlos fall in love which sparks fury from Andrés.
Arráncame La Vida was received very well, won many awards, and was submitted as the film to represent Mexico in the 2008 Academy Awards for the Foreign Language Film. Unfortunately, it did not make the top 5 nominees. The name of the movie and novel is based on a very famous song written by Agustín Lara, also known as the Flaco de Oro and one of the most famous and talented Mexican composers of all time. You can hear Agustín Lara sing his song in this video.
No Eres Tú, Soy Yo
Moving on to something less dramatic, No Eres Tú, Soy Yo is a romantic comedy from 2010 and stars Eugenio Derbez. You might know him from the movie “Instructions not Included.” The movie script is based on the 2004 Argentinian movie No sos vos, soy yo. There is also a Colombian version called La Tusa.
The movie tells the story of Javier Herrera and his relationship, or rather his break up with María. Shortly after they get married, she cheats on him and ends the marriage with the infamous phrase “Its not you, it’s me.” Javier is left heartbroken, with no job, no money and living with his parents once again. Throughout the movie we see Javier trying to put his life together with new friends and possibly a new relationship while the shadow of his former wife lurks in the background. Below is the trailer for No Eres Tú, Soy Yo.
Which other romantic movies in Spanish would you include in this list?
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