Penélope Cruz toplines this intermittently funny but overlong comedy-drama about a 30 year on-again, off-again relationship between star-crossed lovers. Cruz plays John Lennon-crazed foolish youth Diana, whose attempt to hide herself away in Lennon's hotel room during the Beatles tour of Spain is foiled by bellman Santi (Gabino Diego). Several years later unusual circumstances once again bring them together (when the older but not any wiser Diana almost runs him over with her car), and though the two try to make a go of it as a couple, the self-interested Diana quickly sinks the effort by wedding a richer man. Thus begins a life-long series of liaisons (often adulterous) between the two, who despite their protestations of love can never seem to suffer each other's company for very long. Though a huge star in Spain, with over two dozen films to her name, Cruz is still a fresh beauty stateside, which is likely the reason Vanguard decided to release this five-year old property (while figuring prominently on the video box, however, the Spanish seductress spends less than half the film's running time onscreen; the twosome's middle-aged incarnations are then assumed by actors Ana Belén and Juanjo Puigcorbé). While Cruz has so far failed to make much of a splash on this side of the Atlantic, she is in very good form here, in a performance that suggests untapped comedic talents. When she's off-screen, however, the film loses most of its madcap charm, which, when further burdened by the film's nearly impossible to read white subtitles, makes this a weak optional purchase. (S. C. Sickles)
Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health
Vanguard, 120 min., in Spanish w/English subtitles, not rated, VHS: $79.95, DVD: $29.95 Volume 16, Issue 6
Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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