El hombre que se reía del amor: A Lesson in Hubris

Is it worth your time?

If you have a thing for vintage dramas where men wear suits like armor and think they are the smartest person in every room, you might actually get a kick out of El hombre que se reía del amor. If you get annoyed by characters who make consistently bad life choices for no reason other than ego, you should probably skip it.

Rafael Rivelles plays Juan Herrero with this specific kind of smug intensity that is hard to look away from, even when you want to reach through the screen and shake him. He struts through Europe like he owns the place, but you can tell the cracks are showing way before he does.

The Rhythm of the Thing

The pacing feels like a train that’s constantly braking. Just when you think he is going to get his act together, he takes a sharp turn into another bad decision. It’s not smooth, but it feels weirdly honest to how a person like Juan would actually live.

There is this one scene where he’s staring at a mirror—it goes on for way too long. Like, way too long. I found myself wondering if the projector had jammed or if the director just really liked the way the light hit his tie. It’s moments like that which make the movie feel like a real artifact rather than a polished product.

• The dialogue is sharp but occasionally falls flat in a way that feels intentional.
• The supporting cast, especially Rosita Díaz Gimeno, honestly carries most of the emotional weight while Juan is busy being a jerk.
• The European settings are painted with a very specific, dated brush that makes the whole thing feel like a postcard from a time that never really existed.

It’s funny, the movie reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in Honeymoon Abroad, though it lacks that specific brand of chaos. You aren't watching for the plot twists, because you see the ending coming from the first ten minutes. You're watching to see how long it takes for the bubble to pop.

The cinematography is… well, it’s there. It does the job. Don't go in expecting visual poetry. It’s functional, like a sturdy chair in an old library. 🎞️

I left the movie feeling like I’d spent an hour listening to a guy talk about his dating life at a bar while I just wanted to finish my drink and leave. Yet, I wouldn't have traded the time. There is a weird, dusty, slightly uncomfortable satisfaction in watching a guy get exactly what he deserves.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even trying to be one. It’s just a story about a man who finally laughs at the wrong person—himself.