Review: 'Everybody Loves Somebody' is a cultural celebration

Posted Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 4:23 PM Central

by John Couture

While certain people who shall remain nameless spend a lot of their time talking about building walls, Hollywood is finally starting to embrace the culture south of the border. For many decades, the shenanigans of Tijuana encapsulated the extent of Mexican culture in film, but that has gradually changed over the intervening years.

Part of that reason (or maybe most) is the fact that Spanish-speaking viewers are increasing in megaplexes across the country and every other month there seems to be "unexpected" Spanish-language hit in theaters. While this cottage industry is nice, I'm sure studios are desperately looking to find the Mexican version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

While Everybody Loves Somebody isn't that film, despite several obvious comparisons, however, it is an entertaining film that lovers of romcoms will gravitate toward as it expands its reach this week on DVD. Sure, the film will instantly bring up memories of Fools Rush In, No Strings Attached, The Wedding Date among others, and yet, there is something unique about Everybody Loves Somebody that gives it reason to stand on its own among these romcom heavyweights.

I believe that reason is the A-list star in the making Karla Souza. Karla has been a standout on ABC's show How To Get Away With Murder, but she is able to shine on her own in Everybody Loves Somebody and she doesn't disappoint. In fact, we find out that Karla has a great sense of comedy that her character on How To Get Away With Murder never gets to show.

I think her performance in this film not only strengthens my resolve that we will see her in more Hollywood blockbusters in the future but also gives me pause to appreciate her work in How To Get Away With Murder even more. She is front and center in Everybody Loves Somebody and if she wasn't as charming and lovable as she is, this film could have easily just been another in a long line of romcom flops.

Thankfully, the supporting cast and witty dialog enable Karla to shine and we are all the better for it. No, Everybody Loves Somebody does not reinvent the romcom, in fact, it pretty much follows all of the rules to the expected conclusion, but yet, it is a film that I found quite enjoyable and if you are a fan of this genre, I recommend that you pick it up.

Everybody Loves Somebody is now available on DVD and features 5.1 Dolby tracks in both English and Spanish, as well as the requisite subtitles. This is certainly a film that forms a bridge to the culture just south of the border.