By Bel Hernandez Castillo
Over the weekend, a Variety reviewer called the film Say a Little Prayer “…a well-intentioned but ordinary Latino Romantic Comedy.” I respectfully disagree with that assessment—and not just on one count, but two.
It’s Anything But Ordinary
Let’s talk about “ordinary.” By definition, ordinary means “with no special or distinctive features; normal.” But there is nothing “normal” about Say a Little Prayer, a rom-com written by Nancy de Los Santos and directed by Patrick Perez. In fact, it breaks new ground as the first English-language romantic comedy centered on U.S. Latinas in over 30 years. That alone makes it extraordinary.
There are very few Latina actresses who have starred in rom-coms over the years. Jennifer Lopez is one of them and she has starred in over eight of them including Maid in Manhattan, The Back-Up Plan, Shotgun Wedding, but those films rarely explored their characters’ heritage or culture. While those characters occasionally had Latina names, their identities were largely incidental to the story. By contrast, Say a Little Prayer is unapologetically rooted in Latina identity, making it a unique entry in the rom-com genre.
A Genre of Its Own
What sets Say a Little Prayer apart is that it’s not a “Latino Romantic Comedy”; it’s a U.S. LATINA Romantic Comedy. That distinction is crucial. The film speaks directly to U.S. Latinas, claiming space in a genre that hasn’t fully embraced their stories. Representation matters, and this movie reminds us why.
It’s clear the film didn’t resonate with the reviewer, and that’s fine. Not every movie is made for everyone. But it’s important to recognize that this film was created with a very specific audience in mind: women, especially Latinas, who love family-centered and relationship-driven stories. Research into rom-com audiences shows that 85% of viewers are women aged 18 to 44, a group that gravitates toward romantic and heartfelt narratives. For these viewers, especially U.S. Latinas, Say a Little Prayer offers a chance seeing themselves authentically represented on screen is a rare and deeply meaningful experience.
A Love Letter to San Antonio
The reviewer also critiqued the film’s setting, writing, “Every frame in the film could serve as a glossy tourism campaign encouraging viewers to visit the lovely city of San Antonio. Pérez Vidauri and cinematographer Mario Gallegos miss no chance to feature the famous River Walk and other landmarks.”
And the problem is?
San Antonio isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in the story. Its vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and scenic beauty make the setting feel authentic and alive. Incorporating these elements only enhances the film’s charm and grounds it in the experiences of many U.S. Latinas while celebrating the beauty of a city that many call home.
Representation Matters
It’s 2025, and it’s about time that U.S. Latinas see themselves in leading roles, especially in non-stereotypical stories about love and self-discovery. As the saying goes, “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” For younger generations, films like Say a Little Prayer are vital—they normalize seeing Latinas as complex, relatable, and worthy of center stage. This isn’t just another rom-com—it’s a celebration of U.S. Latina identity and culture.
A Story Rooted in Real Life
The story behind Say a Little Prayer is as inspiring as the film itself. Screenwriter de Los Santos loosely based the plot on her own experience in her 30s, when her grandmother, concerned that she was still not married, gave her the San Antonio de Pauda prayer, telling her that her “husband was lost and the prayer would help her find him.” That moment sparked a 25-year journey to bring this story to life.
De Los Santos has always been dedicated to telling Latina stories, serving as an associate producer on Mi Familia and Selena with strong Latina characters, and writing Gotta Kick It Up (2002), a Disney Channel TV movie about a Latina-centric school dance team. Say a Little Prayer is the culmination of that passion and determination—a film that celebrates U.S. Latinas and their place in the world of romantic comedies.
Over the weekend, de los Santos attended several opening weekend screenings around L.A. At a Norwalk screening in Norwalk she told the audience, “Realizing that we were not on screen, made me angry. It made me angry that I did not see myself on the screen. So that anger turned into passion,” she said to hoots. “And, a Latina with passion cannot be stopped.” she said to a round of applause and more hoots.
A Bold Step Forward
Say a Little Prayer is far from ordinary—it’s a bold step forward for Latina representation in Hollywood. It’s a film that embraces culture, identity, and love, proving that there’s nothing “normal” about being groundbreaking. For U.S. Latinas and rom-com fans alike, this movie is a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Cast: Vannessa Vasquez, Luis Fonsi, Jackie Cruz, Vivian Lamolli, Angélica María. Produced by: Cristina Nava, Nancy De Los Santos-Reza. Executive producers: Edward James Olmos, Luis Fonsi, Belinda Vela Reyna, Rowland S. Reyna, Dorene Dominguez, Sol Trujilo, Jeff Valdez, Patrick Perez Vidauri. Gil Elbaz.