Instructions Not Included

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

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!

First I have to say it is not your typical Hollywood Movie, it isn't Adam Sandler Big Daddy either, its a Mexican comedy with a touch of drama, the great thing about this movie is how well Eugenio puts it together, its fast paced, great acting, nice cast, with good shots and a fine score, it takes you on an emotional ride, you laugh and then you almost cry, then you laugh again, don't worry about subtitles its very easy to follow, the box office down here in Mexico has been spectacular, we had 900,000 viewers Saturday 21st of September, I hope this movie to be the beginning of great crossover films, my brother said "you cant miss it", I agree

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.

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.