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 Derbezâ Spanish film “Instructions Not Included,â 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 ValentĂnâs 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 ValentĂn 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 ValentĂn fears he cannot overcome â his fear of commitment.
âInstructions Not Includedâ accomplishes something rare for movies of its ilk by allowing the audience to get to know ValentĂn 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 ValentĂn 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 doesnât overshadow the filmâs character development, which is detailed and interesting. ValentĂn 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 daughterâs life. The two change each other in ways neither expected, and the result is both encapsulating and moving.
The acting in âInstructions Not Includedâ 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 ValentĂn, made somehow more poignant by the relationships heâs able to forge throughout. For instance, thereâs his boss and friend Frank Ryan (Daniel Raymont, âFreaky Fridayâ), whose two-fold personality as ValentĂnâs hard-nosed boss and unlikely ally could have subtracted from the movie, but in Raymontâs hands becomes as solid a force as Derbez brings to the role of ValentĂn. 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 ValentĂn 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 filmâs acting comes from Loreto Peralta, who plays Maggie with such sweetness and warmth that itâs hard to imagine the film being the same without her. âInstructions Not Includedâ makes the wise decision to make the film as much about her as about ValentĂn, 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 ValentĂn. 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 ValentĂn 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 ValentĂn 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 Maggieâs 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 viewersâ investment in the movie rather than disappointing them.
âInstructions Not Includedâ is a very nice film, a film about change, growth, and more importantly, love. The filmâs 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 werenât subtitled at all. The messages contained within its run-time are real, and its emotions authentic.
âInstructions Not Includedâ will doubtless win over the foreign film crowd; but for those looking for a well-crafted drama with humor that doesnât spoil its watchability, youâd have to look pretty hard to do better than âInstructions Not Included.â
– by Mark Ziobro
2 Comments
You actually understood the movie! I give YOUR review an A- as well!
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