Seres queridos

Rafi and Lina are in love and she is gonna show him to her family. The main problem is that she is Jew while Rafi is Palestinian. While Lina's mother is trying to digest the notice, Rafi accidentally throws a frozen soap through the window and hits a man that seems to be Lina's father. This, mixed with a fanatic brother, a crazy grandparent, a nymphomaniac sister and all the family as eccentric as this will cause endless comic situations. It is not precisely a masterpiece, but it is terribly funny. It's the proof that in Spain it is possible to make good comedies not related to sex, and, being a little film, it is surprisingly funny.

This film is an interesting comedy that explores all the differences between Palestinian and Jewish people creating several situations that make not only people laugh but also think about how close these cultures are in fact. The story begins when Leni, a Jewish girl, decides to introduce his fiancée, a Palestinian boy, to her family. After being shortly shocked with these news, Leni's mother decides to support their wedding, blessing their engagement. Then, an accident caused by Rafi gives rise to several comic situations that will keep you laughing all the time. Doubtless the cast is very good, but I would like to mention Norma Aleandro's performance.

The funniest film I've seen in years, "Only Human" is a comedy about Leni, the daughter of a eccentric Jewish family, who brings her fiancé home to meet her relatives for the first time. Dinner is planned, and all is going well, until Leni reveals that her fiancé Rafi is Palestinian. Of course the reaction is hysterical, and Rafi retreats to the kitchen to help in preparing the meal. He offers to take care of the chicken soup, but in removing the frozen soup from the container, it accidentally falls out the window, landing on the head of a man outside and knocking him out. To make things worse, the man may be Leni's father, and the soup may have killed him. Things really take off from there... With a cast of talented comic actors and a truly funny and irreverent screenplay, Only Human gave me more honest laughs than any film I've seen in ages. The characters are definitely oddball, but they are treated with respect, and there is no low humor or mocking of the characters' weirdness. It's good to see a comedy that takes it's humor from the situation and the personalities of the characters, rather than making them look stupid for a cheap laugh. Highly recommended. 10/10

Thoroughly enjoyable tale of a woman in Spain bringing her Palestinian boyfriend home to meet her Jewish family. Needless to say all sorts of stereotypes and clichés pop up but it's all done in a reasonably realistic yet funny way. It's all played very much for laughs and this works as it is certainly one of the funnier movies that I have seen this year. It is also a victory for the basics of cinema. There are no special effects, no big artist soundtracks and as it was a foreign movie for me, it translated well and had no big stars. The story moves along perfectly and we see all of the characters that we need to see for the purposes of the story. If I had one criticism it would be that the end slightly over simplifies certain issues raised and feels a little too tidy given what has gone before. I felt that there either should have been one last joke to end on or perhaps an edgier/darker resolution to the issues raised. Nonetheless, it remains an amusing insight into the fact that families will drive you mad, no matter what!

"Seres queridos" is a very good comedy that mixes the necessary ingredients: love, humor, misunderstandings and a little mystery. The basic plot (Jewish girl and Palestinian boy go to girl's home to meet her family) soon turns to quirkier subplots that make the viewer not only amused, but also intrigued and moved.

Directors Pelegri and Harari have assembled a great cast, starting from leading man Guillermo Toledo to supporting players such as María Botto and Fernando Ramallo. Toledo had previously proved his ability as a comedian, but this time he proves he can carry a movie too. Botto is unforgettable as the belly-dancer sister, and her dance scene in a meeting room will surely the most remembered for years to come.

Although it partially deals with the tragic conflict between the Jewish and Palestinians in Israel, this sweet comedy gives the viewer the impression that such conflicts can be solved with the help of love, which is quite a relief. However, the eventual result of "Seres queridos" is that it lacks a little more wit so as to be really great, but it still remains as a very good watch.

Overall rating: 7/10