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Cinema Junkie by Beth Accomando

Ugly Me / Pretendiendo

Barbara Mori, before and after in Ugly Me (Arcangelo Entertainment)

The Chilean comedy Ugly Me screened at this year's San Diego Latino Film Festival and now returns as part of the Festival's monthly film series Cinema Tu Idioma at the Ultrastar Mission Valley Theaters at Hazard Center. I passed on the film at the Festival because I had such a hefty list of titles I wanted to see that I let my bias against romantic comedies get the better of me and I crossed this one off to see something darker or more substantial. But I should have known that a romantic comedy from Chile would have more going on that the average Hollywood romantic comedy.

NOTE: Filmmaker Claudio Dabed will be present at the opening night screening on Friday, August 22. Founder and executive director of Media Arts Center San Diego and San Diego Latino Film Festival, Ethan van Thillo, states, "It's an honor to bring back Mr. Dabed and his fun film after its very successful screening at the recent 15th anniversary San Diego Latino Film Festival. The film is a great date film and Barbara Mori puts in a not-to-be-missed performance."

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Max
August 25, 2008 at 02:21 AM
Reminds me of Perfect Crime but more sitcom-y (is this even a word?).

Beth Accomando
August 25, 2008 at 10:44 PM
The tone's ultimately sweeter and so is the end result. But yes on the sitcom-y. Or shall we say sitcom-esque? Thanks Max!

Dr. Shirley Lost
January 23, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Watched it last night on TMC On-Demand. What a an extraordinarily pleasant surprise - wryly executed fluff comedy of the most engaging sort which lingers appealingly in memory following viewing. Ought to be in a primer for how to lend heft to a lighthearted tale through smart casting, impeccable performances, skillful use of location, seamlessly stellar camera work and editing which maximizes return on intentionally light fare - all producing a trenchant reminder of how it ought to be done when it's done properly. Good work!

Beth Accomando
January 23, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Glad you enjoyed it. It surprised me as well.