Happy endings all around
Stylish and fluffy ‘Tired of Kissing Frogs’ is perfect for a date or girls’ night out
By Jana Monji 09/11/2008
Any woman who has been on the Internet dating scene can relate to “Tired of Kissing Frogs,” which is a literal translation of the Spanish title, “Cansada de besar sapos.”
This charming 2006 Mexican movie, directed by Jorge Colón and written by Joaquín Bissner, is essentially a chick flick. The title comes from the name of a fictional dating Web site that Martha (Ana Serradilla) joins after she discovers her boyfriend, Roberto (Juan Manuel Bernal), has been unfaithful. Both are successful, attractive professionals, but Roberto seems to feel his status gives him a certain privilege to spread his affection around.
At the firm where Martha works as graphic designer, her kooky and somewhat kinky co-worker Daniela (Mónica Huarte) introduces her to the aforementioned site, and Daniela and Joaquin (Miguel Rodarte), a gay co-worker, help Martha write her personal ad.
They, along with Martha’s best friend, Andi (Ana Layevska), give Martha advice as she meets many new men. Despite the name of the Web site, she continues to meet many frogs, some of whom come hopping out at inopportune times creating awkwardly funny situations for Martha.
Roberto never quite loses his cool as he continues to pursue Martha, determined to win her back. But lurking in the background of her favorite coffee house, handsome actor Xavier (José María de Tavita) shyly attempts to attract her attention.
Colón and cinematographer Jaime Reynoso show us a city of startling beauty. I’ve never been to Mexico City, but I suspect that much in the way many romantic films about New York and Los Angeles portray cities filled with nothing but beautiful people going to beautiful places, Colón and Reynoso have given us a rosy view of Mexico City — from the apartments to the restaurants to the nightclubs where singles mingle.
There is little action, no nudity and no violence. Even when Martha discovers Roberto has been unfaithful, she is civilized. She doesn’t burn his clothes or vandalize his car. Instead, she decides that she too can play the field. There’s some flashing of flesh, particularly in the brief fantasy segments and when Martha enters a private club and catches Roberto with his pants down, but it’s all done tastefully and with a humorous touch, in keeping the lighthearted tone of the film.
Bissner sticks to the time-tested formula — the ditzy friend, the gay friend, the father figure, the poor though noble suitor and all the funny escapades that go with being single. Essentially, this is a girl meets boy, girl loses boy due to a misunderstanding and girl gets a happy ending kind of story.
With such a predictable plot, it’s really the telling that makes this movie worth seeing; the moments when we recognize ourselves or our friends, the lovely cinematography and the allure of what we all want in life — a happy ending.
Serradilla is winning as an intelligent woman who’s not brassy or bold enough to extricate herself easily from some romantic predicaments. Huarte brings comic relief without becoming a caricature, staying well within the established second-banana buddy range, and manages to maintain an air of innocence, even during the fantasy sex scenes. De Tavita has a subtle presence, in contrast to blatant hunkiness of some beefcake and the sliminess of the local lounge lizards.
This stylish piece of fluff is great for a girls’ night out or a date movie for those already happily ensconced in coupledom. If you don’t see it in Spanish, Hollywood will doubtless soon repackage it into a star vehicle, but it will be hard to duplicate the whimsical charm of Colon’s creation.
“Tired of Kissing Frogs” opens Friday at Laemmle's Pasadena Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Call (626) 844-6500.
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