Il racconto perfetto

This series is a reminder of how small things can make a big difference. If someone tells me to watch a movie about how a poor boy and a rich girl fall in love, I'd rather find an excuse. The film is first and foremost incredibly good because the characters immediately creep into your heart, even the most negative ones. The film was also brave in that it repeatedly showed how much sooner the romance could have been born or how easily it could have been broken off forever by an insignificant little decision, comment or lack thereof.

We knew from the first moment that the film was going to have a happy ending, so we were able to enjoy the journey all the way through, how the two young people struggle, first and foremost with themselves, to get there.

Anna Castillo is wonderful as Margot and Álvaro Mel is equally wonderful as David. These two have amazing chemistry in this slow burn romance that starts out as a mutually beneficial relationship that turns into genuine friendship and then love.

As a romantic I enjoyed every minute of these two falling in love and I also enjoyed the celebration (even though it was joked about) of a heteronormative relationship. It was sweet and natural and young and fresh and I think romantics like me will love it.

The cast was appropriately small, which gave the story an intimate feel, particularly on the vacation in Greece. David is a carefree character who lives on his best friend's couch, has three part-time jobs and just got dumped by the lovely but shallow Idoia. Margot is a repressed heiress who is being patronized in the boardroom and literally runs away from her wedding and controlling mother after a panic attack. These two meet by chance in a bar, when Margot's sisters take her out dancing. David, as the bar tender, kindly fills her shot glass with water...when her sister's ignore her "no" and insist they all do shots together. When Margot picks up her drunk sister's phone at the bar the next day...she witnesses Idoia's strange pull on David and steps in to help as a good deed. This begins a beautiful friendship. The two agree to help each other get their significant others back, which includes Margot helping David become an adult and David helping Margot loosen up.

These two really light up the screen with their chemistry and the gorgeous Greek backdrop sets the mood for their developing feelings. The sets and wardrobe were well done and it was fun to see a neighborhood festival in Spain. In the end I liked that the message wasn't about beauty or money...although I think both David and Margot are beautiful.

My one and only note is that the ending was the oddest ending I have ever seen for a romantic comedy and it left some confusion for certain watchers as to what actually happen at the end. I think romantics will love this limited run series based on the books by Elisabet Benavent (which I wish they would translate into English!), I strongly recommend.

This review is based on watching the series in it's original Spanish language with English subtitles.

Typical love story that involves a contract via a handshake and a promise to help each other get back together with their significant others. Starting off as strangers first, then friends who don't lie to each other, then lovers when they cross the line and they create a mess for both of their lives. Also typical love story between the rich girl and the poor guy (but he doesn't know she is rich until after he falls in love). The poor leading man is very lovable and positive despite all of his shortcomings that you can't help but love his character and he did a great job acting his role. Not sure about the ending- thought it could have been better.

Ok hear me out, I'm totally with women and how they should choose to what to do with their lives and what to do with their bodies and whatnot, BUT these movies are sending the wrong messages to the women nowadays.

This isn't the first tv show/movie that is glorifying women cheating and finding a better guy to find "happiness" and not even caring about their spouse/boyfriend or even her family or kids.

On the other hand, I haven't seen a single movie that glorifies a man cheating on his spouse/girlfriend. It's because they always trying to demonize men who cheat. SO BUT WHY IS IT PORTRAYED ROMANTIC AND BEAUTIFUL FOR A WOMAN TO CHEAT ON HER SPOUSE/BOYFRIEND AND NOT AN EVIL ACT?

So this is a "friends pretend to be lovers to get other people" tv show. Usually right up my alley. Alvaro Mel is David - a complete slacker who is wrapped around the finger of his girlfriend - Idoia. Ann Castillo is Margot who is a rich heiress from a hotel business who runs off from her wedding to a perfectly great guy. It was not explained well why.

David and Margot come into contact with each other and decide to use the other to get their other back / make them jealous.

The show was well made enough to keep me interested and the entire Greece vacation was just beautiful if not a little long for my tastes. It just went on too long and once that happens it starts to seem very morally corrupt to the other parties the leads are insistent they are going to get back. The final episode was confusing and it seemed like someone trying super hard not to have the "standard" ending... you know... the one everyone wants to see.

But overall I would recommend it.