'INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Blockbuster Mexican comedy-drama film about a playboy living in Acapulco who becomes a single father to a young girl, when her mother abandons her at his door one day. Drama develops when the mother returns six years later wanting to rejoin her daughter's life. The film was directed by, co-written and stars Eugenio Derbez. Derbez is a popular Mexican television actor making his feature film directorial and writing debut. The film has become the highest grossing Spanish-language movie in the United States and the highest-grossing Mexican film of all time as well. I found it to be funny and somewhat emotional and am especially impressed by Derbez (in all his film duties).
Derbez plays Valentín, a playboy living in Acapulco who had a very adventurous childhood; as his father (Hugo Stiglitz) put him in all kinds of dangerous situations in order to teach him to overcome his fears. Now he's become a self absorbed man child but that all changes when a woman from his past, Julie (Jessica Lindsey), shows up at his door telling him he's the father of her baby. After asking for some cash to pay her cab driver she takes off, leaving the baby with Derbez (who must then take care of it on his own). Valentin moves with the child to America and get's a job as a successful stuntman. The reluctant father soon finds happiness with his daughter (Loreto Peralta) until her mother shows back up six years later.
Derbez is a really good comic actor; he has a ton of enthusiasm, energy and character. He also is a good director (the movie looks beautiful) and clever writer. He's almost entirely the reason this movie really works (and was such a success at the box office). The other actors are all decent but the story and comedic scenarios are nothing we haven't seen before. Derbez really shines though; he should become a big star in Mexico and the U.S. (after this)!
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2NdCvPRYk4
Blockbuster Mexican comedy-drama film about a playboy living in Acapulco who becomes a single father to a young girl, when her mother abandons her at his door one day. Drama develops when the mother returns six years later wanting to rejoin her daughter's life. The film was directed by, co-written and stars Eugenio Derbez. Derbez is a popular Mexican television actor making his feature film directorial and writing debut. The film has become the highest grossing Spanish-language movie in the United States and the highest-grossing Mexican film of all time as well. I found it to be funny and somewhat emotional and am especially impressed by Derbez (in all his film duties).
Derbez plays Valentín, a playboy living in Acapulco who had a very adventurous childhood; as his father (Hugo Stiglitz) put him in all kinds of dangerous situations in order to teach him to overcome his fears. Now he's become a self absorbed man child but that all changes when a woman from his past, Julie (Jessica Lindsey), shows up at his door telling him he's the father of her baby. After asking for some cash to pay her cab driver she takes off, leaving the baby with Derbez (who must then take care of it on his own). Valentin moves with the child to America and get's a job as a successful stuntman. The reluctant father soon finds happiness with his daughter (Loreto Peralta) until her mother shows back up six years later.
Derbez is a really good comic actor; he has a ton of enthusiasm, energy and character. He also is a good director (the movie looks beautiful) and clever writer. He's almost entirely the reason this movie really works (and was such a success at the box office). The other actors are all decent but the story and comedic scenarios are nothing we haven't seen before. Derbez really shines though; he should become a big star in Mexico and the U.S. (after this)!
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2NdCvPRYk4