The film's legacy is inextricably linked to its star-studded cast:
Reviews of the dub are a fantastic mix of derision and admiration. One IMDb review famously calls it "atrocious," claiming the "fairly serious plot is certainly not helped by the atrocious English dubbing of the existing VHS version" . Another viewer says they "watched the dubbed film in fascinated disbelief," finding the dialogue idiotic and the pacing strange . This is what makes it so memorable. The film is already a melodrama, and the stilted, over-the-top English voice acting pushes it into the realm of pure entertainment. Others have noted it's "an absolute must for Xuxa fans, one of only a few of her English language performances," adding an extra layer of rarity for collectors .
: The child actor who played Hugo. He later detailed his experiences in a book and interviews, noting that the set was mystical and the scenes were filmed with professional care. The Legal Legacy and Availability The film's legacy is inextricably linked to its
: During the 1980s VHS boom, the film was exported internationally with English dubbing to capitalize on the global market for adult dramas. While the English dubbing allows non-Portuguese speakers to follow the plot without subtitles, purists often note that the voice acting can sometimes diminish Khouri’s meticulously constructed, somber atmosphere.
Weinfeld (who would go on to become a famous architect) bathes every frame in amber and shadow. The brothel feels like a humid terrarium of desires. Close-ups of sweating necks, spinning ceiling fans, and clinging silk robes make the film tactile. Even in standard definition (the movie’s most common format), it looks like a Caravaggio painting gone wrong. This is what makes it so memorable
Final assessment Love Strange Love is powerful precisely because it resists comfort: it asks viewers to sit with ambivalence, to watch how adults fail a child, and to reckon with the lingering emotional effects. In an English-dubbed format, the film can remain haunting if the dubbing preserves vocal nuance; otherwise, the translation may blunt the film’s moral and psychological impact. This is a film for viewers prepared to engage with difficult material rather than seeking entertainment.
If you’ve stumbled upon the keyword you are likely a connoisseur of rare, provocative cinema. You want to know why this film endures, why the English dub adds a unique flavor, and why it deserves a spot on your must-watch list. Let’s dive deep into the beautiful, unsettling world of Love Strange Love . : The child actor who played Hugo
Amor Estranho Amor (released internationally as Love Strange Love ) remains one of the most controversial, intensely debated, and deeply misunderstood films in Brazilian cinema history. Directed by Walter Hugo Khouri and released in 1982, the film is often remembered less for its artistic merits and more for the intense legal battles and political censorship that surrounded it for decades.