Pulling Strings

After the death of his wife, a promising singer's career is put on hold as he tries to cope with the loss and take care of his young daughter, Maria. Depressed and not believing he is doing enough for his daughter, Alejandro (Jaime Camil) decides to send her to her grandparents in the United States. Unfortunately when he goes to get a visa at the US Embassy his application is rejected by an unsympathetic embassy employee, Rachel (Laura Ramsey), who meticulously follows the rules for granting visas, leaving Alejandro out in the cold. Bitter, Alejandro blames Rachel, who he complains 'wouldn't even look at him,' for all his troubles.

Rachel, who is about to accept a promotion to a position in London, is shocked when her colleagues throw her a going away party that night. With his career in the dumpster, Alejandro is relegated to playing in a mariachi band, and is shocked when he finds himself playing for Rachel at the going away party. Inspired by the chance meeting he decides he's been given a second chance to get his visa, so he concocts a complicated plan to gain Rachel's favor.

Although Alejandro's scheme is a bit over the top, he takes Rachel on such an enchanting ride that she can't help but rethink her feelings about Mexico and Alejandro. Although Rachel is rather naive for a diplomat, she is refreshingly honest and trusting which paints her as anything but a cold-hearted American. Strong performances by Jaime Camil, Laura Ramsey and Omar Shaparro brought this heart-warming romantic comedy to life and made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I am shocked at low rating on IMDb. I don't usually dish out high ratings easily so for me this was a winner hands down. I have been hoping to see a movie that is entertaining, sweet, romantic and fun, and this was all of that and more.

For anyone who is an immigrant to US the movie will bring back some memories. The moment of "Yay" vs. "Nay" when facing the immigration officer is stressful and memorable one for most. That however is just the premise to launch into some sweet and fun comedic adventure.

I wish there was more of a pleasant culture shock highlighted in the movie. Yeah the people were nice and Tostadas from a small stand were good, and common use of Mariachis was fun, but there could have been many more opportunities to endear the audience to best of Mexico's culture.

The way people interact there was captured beautifully. People were not as uptight and bit more warm and friendly. Friends would do anything for each other, and how with little that some have, how much more happy they can be with that than so many people who have lot more and aren't. None of this was specifically highlighted, but was there to see for anyone paying attention.

In the end movie is just an excuse for romantic, cute, comedic love story and it delivers completely satisfying and enjoyable experience.

The best moment for me was the senior couple sitting next to me in the movie theater. When in the end, the Hero is begging the girl for another chance, couple sitting next to me answered in unison with an emphatic "yes" with both hands extended towards the screen!

If this movie can't find a place in audiences hearts, then we have a problem....and it is not the movie!

Spanish Bilinguals Only: Do you watch movies with subtitles on or off? I often watch movies that Hispanic Filmmakers make and force Luzette Portillo to watch them with me. Usually her choice is Horror films , foreign or domestic, but I love Romantic Comedies so I leave subtitles on so that she can keep up with the plot. It usually distracts me, because I want to read vs listen. So sometimes I feel like I lost something in the translation. Today I took the subtitles off and watched this film as it was recorded. I am so happy I did , because both languages were spoken. I could familiarize with the day to day chores and switching languages back and forth on a whim depending on the place, person or situation I find myself in. This really was a nice surprise. I felt very comfortable watching the film and wonder if Non- Spanish speakers would find it as funny as us who understand Spanish and English. Tom Arnold, Stockard Channing (Rizo, from GREASE) guest star in this hilarious comedy about a Mariachi man wanting to get a VISA to send his daughter to the U.S. It enlightens us who wonder why people take a chance and cut through the red tape of doing it legally. The movie doesn't focus too much on the immigration issue. That makes the film even more delightful to see that not all Mexicans want to be in the U.S. Mexico City does have a big population and they are not all climbing the wall to come here. Hope you take time to watch this movie. The happy ending is not what you would expect and romantic comedies tend to be predictable, this one is not!

When a fork in the road sends you down a different path than the one you had planned, what will you do?

Whatever the shortcomings of the film may be, if you give it a chance you don't actually see them. This film in my opinion is masterpiece- 2 stories in 1. A good father that wants to be better. A budding love story in plain sight, but not seen by the two love birds.

Jaime Camil (Alejandro/the dad) is fantastic, and his singing is phenomenal, especially the song he sings to his daughter at her school. Laura Ramsey (Rachel), the embassy worker that is too "by the book" transforms from her cocoon into a butterfly seeing the city, the culture, the people for the 1st time, because of Alejandro. When you open your eyes you'd be amazed at what you will see. Omar Chaparo (Canicas) provides the comic relief needed and does it very well.

What brings them together is a laptop, but what unites them is something Rachel never had. Will she accept? Will she pick Mexico City or London?

I watched it 3 times & each time caught things I'd missed before.

Looking to kill some time, I took a chance on this title. I'd heard nothing about it (and I follow movies more than most people do), but was drawn by -- of all things -- the presence of Tom Arnold in the cast. And I think Tom Arnold has a very likable screen presence.

Well, Tom Arnold is there, and his character possesses the qualities I enjoy; but he is not the reason to see "Pulling Strings." Rather enjoy it as a romantic comedy with a thriller element, filled with interesting characters and set in what is for most Americans an exotic, if relatable, setting. The leads and supporting characters are all attractive, amusing, or both. (To Yanks, the other familiar actor is Stockard Channing). It goes where you'd expect it to, but with some unexpected side trips.

The lead character's job as a mariachi is played up; he performs several songs throughout the picture, all part of the story-telling. I kept thinking of this as what a really nice Elvis Presley movie might have looked like.

If any of this or the other reviews sounds even remotely interesting, please give "Pulling Strings" a shot (or a stream). It's not going to change cinema, but I preferred to any number of other recent comedies. Now, I'm off to see if I can find any background on the producers