Instructions Not Included Movie Review (2013)

Most dramas suffer from one of two flaws. They either attempt to showcase their poignancy with too serious a scope and lens, or they attempt to break up their serious material with jokes and one liners that rob them of their effect. However, in Eugenio Derbez’ Spanish film “Instructions Not Included,” we find a movie that balances the fine line between these worlds with amazing success, creating a film that is both poignant and funny, while being entertaining, moving, and, in unlikely places, sweet.

Starring and directed by Derbez, the film is a look at a man falling in love, not with a woman but a child, a joyous girl named Maggie whom is left on his doorstep by her birth mother who makes the decision that she cannot care for her. The mother, Julie (Jessica Lindsey), is one of Valentín’s long list of lovers, which one would think would make him a treacherous choice for the job of parenthood. However, the film quickly goes through some exposition to show that Valentín is quick on his feet, brought up by a father (Hugo Stiglitz), who taught him to face his fears and conquer any challenge. Only there is one challenge that Valentín fears he cannot overcome – his fear of commitment.

“Instructions Not Included” accomplishes something rare for movies of its ilk by allowing the audience to get to know Valentín as a likeable character without defining him solely by the pratfalls that make single-guy-raising-child movies hit comedies instead of superb dramas. Of course there is humor along the way (a scene where Valentín weighs the pros and cons of leaving Mexico to take Maggie to America is hysterical, as is another scene where he jumps from a ten-story balcony to rescue her from a pool), however it doesn’t overshadow the film’s character development, which is detailed and interesting. Valentín grows from a listless lothario without any concept of commitment to the kind of man who can hold down a job (he finds a job as a Hollywood stuntman) and pay the rent, all while becoming a solid figure in his daughter’s life. The two change each other in ways neither expected, and the result is both encapsulating and moving.

The acting in “Instructions Not Included” is engaging and believable, especially given the fact that most of the dialogue in the film is subtitled. Derbez creates an almost instantly likeable character in Valentín, made somehow more poignant by the relationships he’s able to forge throughout. For instance, there’s his boss and friend Frank Ryan (Daniel Raymont, “Freaky Friday”), whose two-fold personality as Valentín’s hard-nosed boss and unlikely ally could have subtracted from the movie, but in Raymont’s hands becomes as solid a force as Derbez brings to the role of Valentín. Other characters bring drama to the film when needed, most notably Jessica Lindsey as Julie, although it is regrettable that her presence in the film exists to shift the movie toward a more dramatic climax as her and Valentín attempt to sort out custody issues for Maggie when Julie realizes she wants to be part of her life.

One of the most unexpected surprises in the film’s acting comes from Loreto Peralta, who plays Maggie with such sweetness and warmth that it’s hard to imagine the film being the same without her. “Instructions Not Included” makes the wise decision to make the film as much about her as about Valentín, and the struggles she goes through (questioning who her mother really is, for example) are relatable and honest and will doubtless strike a resonant chord with audiences. Some of her scenes are comical, such as when she talks a producer out of $10,000 by promising her dad will jump from a disastrous height for a film, but others are more somber, such as when she discovers the real reason behind her single parenthood under Valentín. No matter what the script demands, Peralta becomes an undeniable charm to an already captivating film, and the result is nothing if not positive.

Some criticisms present themselves, all minor, with the largest one being the dramatic shift the film takes in the third act as Valentín and Julie attempt to sort out their custody issues. While the proceedings are realistic, they transpire for far too long, taking away from the thoroughly developed bond forged by Valentín and Maggie in earlier parts of the film. While the scenes are not without merit, there was probably a richer and less dramatic way to resolve the crisis of Maggie’s birthmother. However, the finale of the film (which will not be revealed here) more than makes up for this, presenting a bittersweet ending that serves to reward viewers’ investment in the movie rather than disappointing them.

“Instructions Not Included” is a very nice film, a film about change, growth, and more importantly, love. The film’s players all give top notch performances, and the biggest complaint is that the film will probably fail to gain much attention at award ceremonies in favor of bigger budget productions. For a subtitled foreign film, the movie follows so smoothly that it almost feels as if it weren’t subtitled at all. The messages contained within its run-time are real, and its emotions authentic.

“Instructions Not Included” will doubtless win over the foreign film crowd; but for those looking for a well-crafted drama with humor that doesn’t spoil its watchability, you’d have to look pretty hard to do better than “Instructions Not Included.”

– by Mark Ziobro