Instructions Not Included

Instructions Not Included (2013)

A mostly Mexican comedy about a single man who abruptly finds himself raising a baby girl. And things get funny and wild from there, and enchanting. The goofiness that makes you think the movie is actually kind of stupid (or even bad) mellows and sharpens up as it goes and after half an hour there is a different kind of humor and warmth that really works.

Part of the magic here is the two leads—the father and the little girl—are terrific. And they get along in a way that makes the whole movie buzz. There are still a few corny jokes, but mostly the humor is made up of the funny feelgood things that come along in life.

Amazingly this is Eugenio Derbez's first stab at a feature movie, after years of Mexican television. In fact, the first half hour is exactly like Mexican television. And we all grow out of it together, which is a relief and a sign that there might be more good things to come from this man. (This is true of Mexican directors in general, take note of the last two winners of Best Picture, 2013 and 2014, along with their cinematographer.)

So if you expect something canned or obvious here, you'll be surprised. What you do get above all is a sincere, human drama that is mostly airy and fresh. There are some silly clichés—characters who play types and only the thinnest of those types—but we are lucky that almost all of the movie includes the leading man and the little girl. Watch this and make sure you stick it out past the establishing scenes that build up for a good half hour.

I don't speak Spanish and I do not know any Hispanics, so I had my doubts before attending my first Hispanic movie. That said, I enjoyed the acting thoroughly, I enjoyed the plot and I enjoyed the directing. I am sure I've missed out on the subtleties and nuances, but that's OK, I'll probably go back and watch it again.

Both Derbez as Valentin and Paralta as Maggie ( the Hispanic relatives thought she was named after a "sauce" ) showed impressive histrionic and expensive emotional range to play in this genre, little was lost in translation thanks to the acting from these two.

I'd like to follow the career path of these two actors.

The first ten minutes of the movie with Derbez as the playboy was a bit cheesy, the rest of the movie made up for that.

Lindsey's role as Julie couldn't have been easy but she did a credible job as the cold-hearted ice-lady. Her "boy friend" ( Maggie: She's your boyfriend? :D ), Renee was cut from the same clothe, pretty callous.

Then the bonding grew between Valentine and Maggie, they are the brilliant sunshine that preceded and hid the brewing storm cloud. I don't want to give away too much of the plot.

Go see the movie, you might enjoy it as much as I did.

Bravo, da capo!

I'll be honest, I was dragged in to see this movie but was quickly enthused and charmed by the undeniable chemistry between father and daughter(Eugenio Derbez, Loreta Peralta). The very first minutes weren't exactly my cup of tea but it it gets to the point eagerly and you get the whole message of the title along with it. Don't confuse it for just another meager Disney squall of becoming a family film. No where throughout the movie did I remember the pacifier or the Game Plan those were particularly distasteful movies I could hope to forget. Instructions Not Included finds heart and answers many questions all of us have asked about life. All the troubles and dismay we go through are for not, the very essence of where we have placed our hopes lie within the children we take care of and honestly there aren't any instructions included through the sobs, the laughs, and the peace we come to while they teach us how to grow.

Watch this movie and I promise you won't forget it and bring a box of Kleenex for your tears.

This is not a comedy. The summary on IMDb could lead you to wrong expectations from this movie. It is somewhat funny, but it definitely isn't a comedy. It is a beautiful, deeply emotional drama about the relationship between a single father and his daughter and about ways they handle all the twists life brings. If you did not shed a single tear during this movie, please go to X-ray and check if you have a heart at all. Technically, it is not anything special, just average production, but the emotion it carries is priceless.

8,5/10

In a world of big budget blockbusters some of the best movies are the smaller independent films from all over the world. The latest Instructions Not Included is a Spanish/American film from writer, director, and star Eugenio Derbez. While he has made appearances in Jack and Jill with Adam Sandler and stole the TV show ROB with Rob Schneider he is already pretty huge in Mexico, this marks his first foray into directing but does he bring his usual comedy chops along with the ability to create a memorable film?

Instructions Not Included follows a resident playboy in Mexico whose life is thrown upside down when a former fling leaves a baby on his door step. He leaves Mexico for Los Angeles in hopes to find the baby's mother, but instead finds a new life as a successful stuntman and raises the girl for over six years. But when her mother returns it risks everything they have built together. This is one of those surprising films that really deliver way more than you may expect. Eugenio Derbez has crafted a great film mixed with plenty of humor blended perfectly with a heart-warming touching story. The film is partly in Spanish and partly in English, but blends both perfectly to create a film that works for not only both markets, but also for all audiences even if they don't like subtitled films. Derbez has everything needed to lead this film with his already established ability with comedy, but carries the emotional aspect needed to bring the rest of this story together effectively. When making a film like this that involves a child actor to be just as integral to the story as the adult lead their performance can make or break the film. Thankfully Loreto Peralta is amazing and is able to hold her own alongside Derbez like a pro, despite this being her first role. Beyond being adorable and having the child innocence, she is able to bring the needed maturity to the role.

This is one of those small films that comes along and will really surprise you. While it has great performances, it lets the story lead the charge and knocks it out of the park. This is a comedy, but be warned this funny man has crafted a film that will not only tickle your funny bone, but also tug at your heart strings.