A film about an ordinary story: a man, Alan, and a woman, Laura, who falls in love. But there’s a shadow above them: the strange death of Alan’s wife. And, beyond that, there’s one rival, Lilith, Alan’s assistant.
Beyond the story itself, what really matters is the way it is been told. Trough out the story, the narrator begins to reveal typical situations only shown in this genre of movies. The idea is to unfold the scenes and show the structure in which this particular kind of move stands for.

“Manual For Love Stories” is a film that takes the audience, scene by scene, on an original and hilarious journey through the myriad thematic constructions of Hollywood Romantic Comedies. The film also features plenty of homages to famous scenes from famous films.

“Manual For Love Stories” was produced by Zita Carvalhosa (SUPERFILMES), with the financial support from tax shelters law (Petrobras and Santander) and the support of the (Brazilian Film Agency (ANCINE). The film had it’s world premiere at the 2004 Montreal World Film Festival.

Film stars Denise Fraga, Cassio Gabus Mendes and Mariza Orth with a running voice over narration by Paulo José, one of Brazil’s hottest names. Paulo José’s easily recognizable voice and popularity are being banked on to lend the film additional box-office clout.

According to Edward Noeltner from the Cinema Management Group, “For a first time director, Jose Roberto Torero shows considerable talent and craftsmanship as well as a thorough understanding of the Genre. Only when you know film and the conventions of genre can you have so much fun with turning things upside down – and what has come out is wall to wall laughter right through the end credits of this film.”

A film about an ordinary story: a man, Alan, and a woman, Laura, who falls in love. But there’s a shadow above them: the strange death of Alan’s wife. And, beyond that, there’s one rival, Lilith, Alan’s assistant.