Ni repris ni échangé

I was going to be politically correct and leave 8 out of 10 stars for this but then again could not think of the flaws that would justify the missing 2 stars so I threw in another. The last one is always reserved for technicalities, photography, sound, music, etc. An excellent example of how a simple movie can be so powerful. What could be more important than a parent/child relationship? I specially felt the plot as a father who was separated from an only child at a very early age. Great performance by Eugenio Derbez (Valentin), Jessica Lindsey (Julie) and Loreto Peralta (Maggie). I can't remember the last time I cracked up so much not having enough time to discreetly wipe my tears. That look in Julie's face when she encounters Maggie is worth seeing this alone; a moment which can not be easily replicated. Highly recommended.

My boyfriend and I went to see this with my father last night. It was not at all what I expected and as the movie progressed, I was continually surprised. What a lovely movie. Not just a comedy, but a truly heart-warming story. The little girl's acting performance is Oscar worthy. Seriously, where did they find her? My boyfriend usually hates movies with sub-titles, but this one made it worth the trouble for him. If you speak Spanish, like me, then you will get more of the cultural references, but you don't need to understand Spanish to get this movie. Fear is universal and so are lessons in courage, and this movie really spoke to that. Make sure to take your hankie. Watch, watch, watch this movie!!!

After watching "Instructions not included" I can say it is a very good movie. It's not the classic Hollywood comedy. Yes, you will have to read the subtitles sometimes and certainly it is not the classical familiar comedy. Nevertheless it is a very good movie. Forget "Fish out of water father" films, that part is only a fraction in this one nor is the Kramer vs Kramer type although has its part. The film tackles on how to confront life, how to enjoy life and how to deal with lost but all these through a roller-coaster of laughs, tears and other feelings in between. If you are bilingual (English & Spanish speaker), this is a must. This film will be remembered for years to come as the one that broke the inertia of Mexican cinema and probably will sign a new kind of films to come. Go watch it.

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!

Eugenio Derbez is brilliant. As director he delivers a beautiful story and he make a magnificent debut, and as actor he accomplished express deep feelings with both comedy and drama, in the other hand the girl(Loreto Peralta) steals the movie, I hope she get to work in other movies like Dakota Fanning did before one after another because she HAVE it. I am proud to be Mexican and also I am enchanted with the movie's quality and form of telling the tale, maybe the ending is not what I expected but Mexican cinema permits tragicomedy, so in a way fulfill my feeling that this was more than only splat comedy. Eugenio's movie is successful in the way the movie is appealing both for Mexicans (Latinos) and Americans (English speaking) audience. I like very much all the success in the box-office he's having and really deserves all this attention, he is very talented and this is the first of many movies he is going to make and direct. Viva Eugenio!