Granaderos del amor: A strange trip to the opera house

Is this thing worth your time?

Look, if you want something that feels like a warm, slightly dusty blanket from a different century, sure. It’s got that specific musical-comedy energy that doesn't really exist anymore. But if you’re looking for a plot that actually holds water, or characters that make sense for more than five minutes at a time, you’re gonna be bored. It’s perfect for a rainy Sunday where you want to turn your brain off but keep your ears busy.

The whole setup with the Baron showing off invisible antiques? That’s my kind of weird. It’s the sort of detail that makes me think the writers were having a bit of fun. It’s definitely not as gritty as something like Out of Singapore, and thank goodness for that.

The vibe check

The transition between the modern-day (or whatever counts as modern for this film) and the 1809 flashback is… let’s call it abrupt. One minute we’re in a drafty castle, the next we’re doing a full-blown costume drama. It feels like the movie just hit the fast-forward button on its own personality.

I found myself watching the background extras more than the leads during the dance scenes. There’s this one guy in the back who is clearly having a better time than the rest of the cast combined. It’s distracting in the best way possible. 🕺

Bits and pieces

• The painting of the Napoleonic invasion looks suspiciously like it was painted last Tuesday.
• The dialogue is exactly as flowery as you’d expect. Sometimes it lands, sometimes it just sits there.
• I’m still not sure if the Baron is actually crazy or just bored. It’s a toss-up.
• The music is fine, though it won't be stuck in your head for days.

There’s a moment where the French colonel is just hanging around being a nuisance, and you can tell the movie *really* wants you to take the stakes seriously. It doesn't quite work. It feels like a stage play that accidentally wandered onto a film set. But then, it’s not trying to be The Dawn of Freedom or anything heavy, so maybe it gets a pass.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even trying to be. It’s just a nice, weird little story about people who love singing enough to turn their own lives into a script. Honestly? I’ve seen worse ways to spend an afternoon. At least it didn't drag on for three hours. 🎭