Dimmi di sì

Brilliantly acted and very funny comedy. Yes some complications may not make too much sense but the likeable characters makes it work anyways. Definitely worth a watch if you are in for an entertaining evening.

This title blends romantic elements with comedy , tongue-in-cheek and a fun love story between a geek and a very beautiful girl ; so, the tone of the film is light-hearted and amusing . Timid Victor Martínez (Santi Millan) is a movie theatre watcher , he is 36 years old and still lives with his mummy (Chus Lampreave, Almodovar usual) . Victor wants to live a marvelous love story , similarly to cinema and specially the love affair between James Stewart/Kim Novak from ¨Vertigo¨. By some unfortunate mistake his life will change when he accidentally participates at a TV contest , a famous Reality Show in ¨prime time¨ , along with a gorgeous aspiring actress called Estrella Cuevas (Paz Vega) . Both of whom win the contest , achieving a prize about 253,000 Euros and are sent off to a luxurious hotel located in La Manga Del Mar Menor . According to their television contract , they have to get wedded , married by a Catholic priest and not divorced for at least three years , otherwise the contract to be annulled and they have to give back their reward .

Hilarious as well as romantic comedy is loaded with nutty situations irony , slapdash , comedy with tongue-in-cheek , bad taste jokes , rapid flash thrilling choreography , funny situations and with a distinctly Spanish sense of humor . The film relies heavily on the silly love story between Paz Vega/Estrella , reluctant at first , and Santi Millan/Victor who finally falls in love for her and ulteriorly spending some time together at a luxury hotel at Oropesa del Mar . This is a slightly funny film with entertaining events , giggles , twists and a bunch of very comical roles . The film moves in fits and starts most of which would be desirable , with more traps the viewer resists any kind , and some moments of enjoyment and others quite a few embarrassing . This is a typical Spanish comedy from the 2000s with the usual ingredients such as enjoyable humor topped with a little bit of original elements here and there ; including criticism to reality shows and improbable incidents . The adventures of the protagonists care so repetitive and the most part results to be rich in absurdities and implausibilities . It turns out to be pleasantly fun that offers no intellectual stimulus whatsoever ; an exercise in pure amusement in which entertainment and fun are guaranteed . The screenplay manages a lot of laughs from the audience and romantic elements that you never loose your attention from the film . The main flaw I can find is that some of the story lines are too much ridiculous and some character arcs end up being implausible. Some situations are laugh out loud embarrassment and the story proceeds at a breakneck speed that never flags . Sympathetic performances from Santi Millan as a shy 36-year-old man working as an usher at a movie theater and who still lives with his mommy . And unforgettable Paz Vega who though has a strong Andalucian accent , she parades sexily at her best and more relaxed and enticing than ever . The hit of the show is undoubtedly for the fetching Paz who gives one of the best fun screen acting . I liked everyone in the excellent cast, and the male and female actors , especially Paz Vega , were all very attractive . Paz won the Goya for Best New coming Actress with her performance as Lucia in "Sex and Lucia" by Julio Medem in 2001 , she subsequently starred in ¨Only Mine" by Javier Balaguer, opposite Sergi López and was nominated for yet another Goya Award and later on , Paz appears in "Talk to Her" by Pedro Almodóvar . In 2003, she was Carmen in Vicente Aranda's film, based on the homonymous novel by Prosper Mérimée , opposite Leonardo Sbaraglia . That same year, she pairs up with Santi Millán in this romantic comedy , "Dí Que Sí/Say I Do," for Columbia Pictures in Spain . Both films went on to have very successful box office careers in 2004 . As a result of her collaboration with Columbia Pictures in "Dí Que Sí", James L. Brooks invited her to co-star in "Spanglish" opposite Adam Sandler . Since "Spanglish" Paz Vega working in Hollywood as well as Spain and has been directed by acclaimed filmmakers such as Frank Miller , Danis Tanovic, Oliver Parker , Michelle Placido and the Taviani brothers and shared billboard with notorious , international fellow actors . Paz also starred in the first film directed by Jada Pinkett Smith, produced by Will Smith : "The Human Contract" . Most recently, Paz repeated her collaboration with Spain's emblematic Director, Almodovar, in "I'm So Excited" . Furthermore , the support cast is frankly excellent , such as recently deceased Constantino Romero , Pepe Viyuela , Chus Lampreave , Ornella Muti , Daniel Grao , Luis Cuenca and , of course , Santiago Segura .

Colorful photography in juicy atmosphere by Gonzalo Berridi, deemed to be one of the best Spanish cameraman , he photographed successes such as ¨El Viaje De Carol¨, ¨Amantes Circulo Polar¨ , ¨Ardilla Roja¨ , ¨Camaron¨ and ¨8 Apellidos Vascos¨. Lively and commercial musical score by Federico Jusid , including some catching songs . The motion picture was professionally directed by Juan Calvo , though has some flaws and gaps . Juan has also worked on film and television as a camera, editor and director assistant . He also wrote the screenplay of this his first feature film Di Que Si (2004) which was selected for the European Pitch Point by the European Film Academy . But he is usually TV filmmaker , shooting episodes from ¨Homicidios¨, ¨MIR¨ , ¨Cuestion De Sexo¨ and ¨Los Misterios De Laura¨.

The main problem with 'Di Que Sí' is the confusing narration, the clueless director and the screenplay that lacks focus. There is no fluidity. It starts off as a light romantic comedy and in the second half it absurdly and drastically switches to action comedy (with little romance) and in the last minute it's back to romantic comedy. Moreover, Juan Calvo presents some very annoying characters like that terminator wannabe (played by Pepe Viyuela). The soundtrack is likable. What really works in favour of 'Di Que Sí' are the two quirky leads. Paz Vega glows as the beautiful, vibrant and funny Estrella while Santi Millán shines as the shy and goofy Victor in a comparatively quiet and subtle performance. Their scenes together are funny enough, especially the ones that display the clash of their personalities. They're the ones who make the movie somewhat worth the watch watch. Otherwise the movie's got the usual gags and only some of them compensate for the lack of quality.

That simple comedy that surprises me with simplicity and joy, makes our heart warm, despite all the cliché, all the exaggeration, of these silly romantic comedies, but captivating and adorable...

Terrible movie, absolutely awful! With a script that's just plain stupid and a clueless directing, the whole point of the film is silly. The characters are flaw, stereotyped and predictable; they act and evolve for no justified reason. Under these circumstances, even the good work put up by Paz Vega -great as usual in a character not so far from her usual roles- can't avoid the sinking of the ship. On the contrary, her partner Santi Millán becomes as clueless as the director; and it's even painful to watch a good slapstick comedian as Pepe Viyuela in such a stupid character. Mix all that in a story filled in with product placement and obnoxious commercials, and what do you get? 2/10, being generous. A comedy without even a good joke during all the movie? Definitely one NOT worth watching.