Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny, spirited Spanish romcom has sex, nudity, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
I Love You, Stupid
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Marcos (Quim Gutierrez) is blindsided as I LOVE YOU, STUPID opens. First, when he proposes marriage to Ana (Alba Ribas), his girlfriend of eight years, she not only refuses that proposal, but she also breaks up with him. The next day, he's fired from his humdrum job. The double-whammy sends him back to his family home. He's a mess; confidence is low; prospects dim. He vows to get Ana back and to turn his life around. His best friend Diego (Alfonso Bassave), a prolific Don Juan, will consult in the conquest department. An online guru (Ernest Altiero) will enable Marcos to turn into a "Man of the 21st Century," complete with self help techniques for breakups and makeovers. A chance meeting with Raquel (Natalia Tena), an old high school friend, evolves into a quirky friendship. Raquel, a free spirit but clear-headed young tattoo artist, challenges him to "find the real Marcos," the man who's been hiding out beneath the insecure sad sack all along.
Is It Any Good?
Exuberant performances, a well-crafted take on a familiar setup, along with great cast chemistry and a consistently whimsical tone, make for a satisfying and warmhearted audience-pleaser. The hero's initial stress and distress are remarkably easy to fix in I Love You, Stupid. He stumbles into what turns out to be a career-making job; he makes a soft landing on the hard tarmac of relationships; and, in one of the movie's best running gags, finds a hilarious video guru -- Ernesto Altiero is wonderful as "Sebastian Vennet" -- to coach him in shedding the old Marcos and becoming a fresher model. It's nice to see Natalia Tena, a favorite from the Harry Potter movies and HBO's Game of Thrones, get a shiny leading role. Recommended for older teens, with a caution that there's a lot of sex and frequent profanity.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how I Love You, Stupid portrays sex and sexuality. What messages about sex does the film send? Does it show love, intimacy? Is it casual? For fun? How does the message change, particularly for Marcos, over the course of the story? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movies from different countries and varied cultures reveal how much humans have in common in the most basic ways. How is big-city life for these young adults in Barcelona, Spain similar to those in urban U.S. communities? How are they different? What does the film show about what everybody wants and/or needs?
What character strengths did Marcos call upon to make major changes in his life? Think about both his relationships and his career.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 15, 2020
- Cast : Quim Gutierrez , Natalia Tena , Alfonso Bassave
- Director : Laura Mana
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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