Directed by Taylor Hackford (Ray), Love Ranch, inspired by a true story, is a drama/romance set in the late 1970s where Grace (Helen Mirren) and Charlie Bontempo (Joe Pesci) own and run Nevada’s first legalized brothel.
“There’s no business like ho business!” Charlie says to an ecstatic crowd at a rambunctious New Year’s party at the ranch. Everyone agrees. Everyone but Grace. Her eyes are full of fatigue and lifelessness; Charlie’s are anything but. There’s an imbalance, and that’s what drives Love Ranch.
The Bontempos may have a lucrative empire, but they have plenty of problems. They’re avoiding the IRS and fending off faith fanatics who oppose the objectification of women. There are personal problems, too. Grace longs for a husband. Charlie, married to Grace for 22 years, wants a business partner.
To top it all off, Charlie invites popular Argentinean heavyweight boxer Armando Bruza (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) to train at the ranch to garner media attention. He then appoints his wife as Bruza’s manager. Grace is far from thrilled. The South American sensation, however, quickly takes a liking to Grace, and even refers to her as “Mrs. Goodtimes.” Cue the love triangle, infidelity, and conflict.
Love Ranch Remains Operational Because of Sergio Peris-Mencheta and Helen Mirren
Taylor Hackford doesn’t waste any time establishing his story. We’re taken into the lives of the Bontempos right from the start. There’s some early conflict, early drama, early action. All of which is good. The story steadily becomes better when Bruza and Grace come together. The problem with Love Ranch is that it’s predictable. Another issue is that the seriousness of the imbalance between Charlie and Grace becomes less compelling as the film progresses. Toward its end, Love Ranch aims to be grave, but leaves you apathetic.
Love Ranch does have some strengths. One is newcomer Sergio Peris-Mencheta, who impresses with refreshing charisma, sensitivity and passion as the charming, poetic Armando Bruza, a lover and a fighter with a dark, tormenting past. Peris-Mencheta’s best moments are with Mirren, who renders a graceful, tender and sympathetic performance. The chemistry between the two is what prevents Love Ranch from completely caving in.
Writer Mark Jacobson’s story is strongest when focusing on Bruza and Grace’s relationship. He’s smart enough to build up the anticipation, to complicated their connection, and then let the sparks fly.
But Love Ranch can be average. There’s some questionable, clumsy dialogue and sometimes Love Ranch is a visit that drags. The biggest disappointment is Joe Pesci, a fine actor who is dealt some not so fine lines due to Jacobson’s awkward writing. Pesci is weak here, playing, once again, the quintessential tough guy. Although entertaining, it’s a familiar performance we’ve seen plenty of times.
Love Ranch, while a tale of quick love, broken hearts and mostly on-point performances, walks a line of predictability and occasional boredom. It’s a shame, especially because Love Ranch starts with potential, grows, then slowly, like a flame, burns out.
Grade: C
Love Ranch opens in select theaters today.
Christopher Engelhardt - An aspiring writer residing in Brooklyn, New York, Christopher Engelhardt has been writing about movies since the age of 19. His first ...
