Review by ffemosurf

I was extremely pleased with this movie. It is not perfect, but it works to bring a movie that is not full of violence and doom at the same time presenting a realistic view of life in Puerto Rico and praising the beauty of our Paradise Island. I strongly recommend it. Having said that from a technical point of view the film is full of missed opportunities that could have made this an exceptional film. The character development was lacking in depth. Some scenes were unnecessary attempts at humor relief and did not work well. Others were redundant and had the right idea but poor execution. Missed opportunity when you have one of the most beautiful women in the world you should have featured her beauty.... Hello!! Former Miss Universe, dip in the beach, needed a "moment" when Raul truly started to fall in love (the film really missed that moment from a story line development point of view), the most beautiful beach setting in the world!!! (Ok, I am a bit biased on that!). Still, great first movie for Lin-Manuel and Bruno Irizarry. One of the first from what is sure to be a Tsunami of American-Latino themed films that is long overdue (i.e. Instructions not included a great example). Hollywood producers, take notice...this is an undeniable fact. P.D. This theme is not really a "latino" theme, it is an American theme of what our current life truly is and it needs to be not only addressed in film, but featured. It is who we are!!!