Visto Para o Amor

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

Would you like a nice date night flick? Look no further than "Pulling Strings"! It's sweet and clever and is a great prelude to a night of good lovin'!

Jaime Camil stars as Alejandro, a professional Mariachi singer living in Mexico City. He knows this isn't the best life, as he's also a widower trying to raise his young daughter, so he wants to visit family in the States and leave his daughter with them. However, his request for a VISA was denied by a US Embassy bureaucrat who barely gave him a chance.

A short time later, this same bureaucrat, Rachel (Laura Ramsey) has been promoted and her coworkers throw a big party for her...complete with a Mariachi band. Well, like you expect in a movie, Alejandro happens to be the singer and during the course of the evening, Rachel gets totally smashed. In fact, when Alejandro leaves the party to go home, he finds her asleep on a bench at a bus stop...definitely not a good idea anywhere but a horrible idea in Mexico City! Alejandro is a good guy and tries to help by calling her a cab. But she is so drunk, he can't even find out where she lives, so he brings her home. When she awakens, she is not surprisingly shocked to find herself in a strange man's apartment...she is also shocked to find that her boss' computer, which he gave her for safekeeping, is missing...and she had it with her at the bus stop! So nice-hearted Alejandro takes her across Mexico City looking for it....and the city is one of the biggest cities in the world! So what's to come of all this? See the film.

This is a highly unusual film because it's not so much a Mexican film with some Americans in it or vice-versa. It's more like an American cast and a Mexican cast being brought together for a movie....and it works very well. Plus, it gives you a nice look at the Mexicans in this mega-city...warts and all. Very sweet, very original and, at times, very romantic. Well worth your time.

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!

I saw Pulling Strings today, knowing little about it and having seen no trailers. It sounded like something I'd enjoy, and I did. The male and female leads give pitch perfect performances; you'll know right away they are made for each other. The male lead (a single dad with an adorable young daughter) has a very funny sidekick - you'll love the sound effect his car makes. The female lead has a fun "buddy," too.

The story is set in Mexico City. It begins at the immigration window at the US Embassy and takes off from there. A missing laptop is a major plot point. Mariachi music is another. I loved the romantic elements in the movie and the comic elements made me laugh out loud many times. All of the characters are wonderful.

This is a great "date night" movie, but obviously, singles will like it, too. I had a ball. One more thing: Much of the dialogue is in Spanish with subtitles, but please, please, don't let that put you off. You'll have great fun watching Pulling Strings!