Anyone looking for a fix of teen comedy and 1980s nostalgia should slap eyes on co-writer/director Michael Walker’s The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo. This throwback coming-of-age, romantic comedy, co-written by Susan Gomes, is about high school junior Julie (Anna Mirodin). She is stressed out after being told the female exchange student from Spain she’s supposed to house isn’t coming after all. That person’s replacement will be Juan Jose (Alexandro Byrd), who, with his great hair, big eyes, cute accent, and sexually forward ways, has Julie smitten. The problem is she’s not alone, and try as she might, she can’t get Juan Jose to look her way. What to do?
What follows is more sweet than raunchy, taking the point of view of a young girl clearly in the grips of her hormones, but uncomfortably so. Julie, with the help of best friend Suzanne (Hannah Kepple), tries to loosen up, look a bit older, and be a bit more forward, all to no avail. Much of the fun lies in watching Julie fumble around outside her comfort zone, but the script draws a lot on the culture clash between American teens and their Spanish counterparts. This well runs dry about halfway through the 94-minute runtime, after which, thankfully, Walker commits to Julie’s journey.
“…makes you laugh and makes you thankful you’re not in high school anymore…”
This means The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo doesn’t hit the dizzying number of laughs per minute that modern coming-of-age classics like Superbad or Booksmart boast, but it does still feature some great one-liners and gags. With the disarming sweetness of Julie’s tenderfooted exploration of sex and love providing the movie its heart, it consistently draws chuckles, if not guffaws.
The script, coupled with Annie Simeone’s great production design, brings the 1980s to life with full force. Perms, mall hangouts, acid-washed jeans, Tab cola, and mixtapes (actual tapes!) are all prominently featured. With limited means, the director makes the illusion real and the immersion deep. Some of the regrettable elements of the 80s, like homophobia, also make an appearance. While Walker doesn’t engage with this beyond simply including it, it makes you wonder whether it’s meant to play for laughs or as an attempt at authenticity.
The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo is a lighthearted addition to the teen comedy genre that holds its own. It makes you laugh and makes you thankful you’re not in high school anymore. That’s a comforting combo.
"…a lighthearted addition to the teen comedy genre..."
