New to Netflix from today is the Spanish romantic comedy, Love, Divided (aka Pared con pared). The film – directed by Patricia Font – stars Aitana and Fernando Guallar; is a remake of the 2015 movie, Blind Date (Un peu, beaucoup, aveuglément!); and tells the story of two next-door neighbours who fall in love.
In the movie, piano-playing Valentina moves into her new apartment and is all excited to start a new life away from her ex. However, on the first night in her new home, she hears a strange and frightening noise coming from next door.
Initially Valentina is unnerved by the noise, but she quickly comes to learn the odd sounds are being deliberately caused by her neighbour David. He lives in a building which backs directly onto Valentina’s apartment and he is attempting to frighten her out of her home.
The reason for David’s hostility is due to the paper-thin walls which exist between the two apartments. He is a reclusive toy inventor who needs absolute silence to work, any noise from next door is a distraction, and he constantly tries to get new tenants to leave.
Once Valentina learns the truth, she refuses to give up the apartment, which initially causes some conflict. However, they soon get into a conversation, begin to work through their problems, and find some common ground.
Could this be the start of something more than just agreeable neighbours and could romance be in the air? Quite possibly, but with David not so keen on leaving his apartment, their love may forever be divided by the wall they share.
Light and frothy, Love, Divided is a bright and breezy picture which is perfectly fine to watch, even if it isn’t particularly exciting. The general premise is as paper-thin as the walls in the apartments, but it’s not offensive and it zips by pretty quickly.
What helps is that she’s pretty, he’s hunky, and the film wants the audience to will the pair together. This movie is all about getting them to fall in love with each other, so don’t expect any major issues to get in the way.
In fact, the biggest conflict in the movie is the wall which separates them and (according to the script) stops them from meeting. Of course, this is a daft plot contrivance, as the pair could simple walk next door and avoid the wall altogether, but it’s a plot contrivance that can be overlooked.
Why? Well, as I’ve already made clear, she’s pretty, he’s hunky, and the film wants the audience to will the pair together. It really is that simple.
If you want more depth or a better story, then I’m sorry, but you won’t find it here. However, if you want an easy-to-watch movie, which can play out while you enjoy an early morning cup of tea and half a pack of biscuits, then this is Love, Divided in a nutshell.
Should you watch Love, Divided? Yes? No? I don’t know, I’m not your mum, you need to make choices for yourself.
What I will say is, you need to ask yourself the question: Do I want to watch a film where everything will all work out fine in the end? If the answer is yes, then give this film a go.
The romance is passable, the comedy is… well… largely absent, but the film has a playful tone, and nothing bad will happen. If this is what you are looking for, then cast your eyes in the direction of Love, Divided.
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