The documentary “Casa Bonita Mi Amor” feels like a blend between a “Kitchen Nightmares” episode and an extended commercial. It really hits its stride when detailing the history of the legendary Denver restaurant Casa Bonita, but shifts into a peek inside a multi-million-dollar renovation that sometimes feels more like a PR piece than a substantive documentary. Those with an affinity for the restaurant and fans of “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker will find plenty to love, though.
The film tells the story of how Parker and Stone, driven by nostalgia and a love for their childhood haunt, stepped in to save this iconic Denver landmark when it suddenly faced bankruptcy. Known for its 30-foot indoor waterfall, cliff divers, roving gorilla, puppet shows, Western theme, Black Bart’s Cave, and, unfortunately, its less-than-stellar food, Casa Bonita has long been a beloved yet beleaguered institution. The documentary captures the ambitious efforts of the two men (along with famed restaurateur Dana “Loca” Rodriguez) to restore the restaurant to its 1970s glory with a planned budget of $8 million in renovations.
The journey is filled with challenges, from deteriorating structures that violate basic building codes to aging fixtures and a spiraling budget, all set against the ticking clock of a projected summer 2023 reopening. The film showcases the power of creativity, big ideas, and love from the local community, but it sometimes veers into being repetitive and overly promotional.
Casa Bonita opened in 1974 and has always been more than just a restaurant. It is a part of Denver’s cultural fabric, and one that rightfully earned its status as one of the coolest places to eat in America. I am fortunate to have dined there several times (my husband grew up in Denver and has so many fond childhood memories of Casa Bonita), and it warms my heart to see the place get a complete renovation.
This is a story about nostalgia for the past, wrapped up in the overwhelming attempt to preserve a crumbling piece of childhood history. With so many restaurants (and tourist attractions) shuttering for good, it’s really wonderful that Stone and Parker stepped up (and spent multi-millions of their own money) to keep Casa Bonita operating.
As a whole, “Casa Bonita Mi Amor” isn’t a great documentary. It plays like an episode of an HGTV renovation show more than a full-length feature film, and the drama over a skyrocketing budget and growing infrastructure problems is quite repetitive. Still, it’s a nice tribute to a cherished Denver landmark, a reminder of the enduring impact of childhood memories, and a celebration of the lengths to which people will go to preserve them.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 