Hazlo Como Hombre

Mexico's biggest homegrown hit of 2017 (it's a Chilean-Mexican co-production), this raunchy comedy revels in its lead's arrested development to make a point. It's easily one of the funniest movies of the year, but it's very much not for kids. Director/co-writer Nicolás López puts his characters in absurd, high-stakes situations and gives them plenty of funny dialogue. And the finely tuned cast hits just the right farce notes. As Raul's sister, Nati, who reacts badly to learning that Santiago (who's her fiance, as well as Raul's best friend) is gay, Aislinn Derbez shows off dynamic comic skills. And as an ultra-calm therapist suspicious of Raul's motives, Luis Pablo Román is quietly a scream. But the movie really belongs to Ochmann, who's like a cross between Rob Lowe and Paul Rudd. Raul's outsized personality fills most comic scenes -- his idiotic horror at Santi's gayness is consistently funny -- but Ochmann fares less well in dramatic moments. He's at his best when Raul's confident ignorance is on display, as when he declares that a priest turned Santi gay (Raul: "Why did he make you wear those girly dresses?" Santi: "It was an altar boy gown.").

Despite all its gonzo trappings, Hazlo Como Hombre comes across as sincere. It actually goes into the "stages of grief" model to help Raul understand that what really needs fixing is in himself, not Santiago. It also takes pains not to demonize anyone and crosses up our expectations -- especially those related to stereotypes. Just as no one is evil in the film, no one is totally good, either: Santiago's relationship with his first real boyfriend runs into serious issues that will be familiar to many in straight relationships, too. Yes, it's over the top, but Hazlo is a good match for viewers who are ready for graphic sex talk and either need to hear the movie's message of reassurance as they consider coming out or need to come to terms with someone they love coming out. And in the end, the movie's well-meaning (if crude) humor, powered by crack comedic writing and acting, makes it clear why it's already a hit.