In the opening scene of Smiley, Netflix’s new Catalan-Spanish holiday romcom, bartender Àlex (Carlos Cuevas) leaves a despondent voicemail for his recent ex-boyfriend, who has shattered his belief that he would one day be able to find true love. But he has dialed the wrong number, and the message lands in the hands of Bruno (Miki Esparbé), a lonely architect similarly disillusioned with Barcelona’s gay hookup culture. The love story that tumbles out of this chance connection between strangers is a predictable yet delightful diversion that warms the heart with just the holiday spirit that we needed this season.
“Smiley”: The Kitsch We Needed This Holiday Season
