El favor

This comedy film about three spoiled adult kids reluctantly helping their old nanny's son with funeral arrangements is a riot.

The nanny's request to be buried in the family's mausoleum is met with refusal by the trio, leading to a series of hi-jinks as her letters to them reveal home truths and secrets.

I suspected from the trailer that it would be a fun ride and I was right. The session was also well attended proving its appeal.

Though a bit cheesy and predictable, the movie was packed with surprises and even the unlikeable characters were likeable.

Perfect for a light-hearted afternoon. A film that will appeal to audiences around the world.

So glad I saw it.

The Gallardos are a filthy rich and disturbingly selfish family, formed by father (Gonzalo de Castro) and children: Teresa (Inma Cuesta), Benja (Diego Martín) and Aura (Sara Sálamo) who must face the last will of their dearest Tata, Amparo (Luisa Gavasa), the woman who took care of them when they were children and who now wants to be buried in the family pantheon. Nanny had everything in mind, and knowing that they were going to refuse, she leaves them a little poisoned gift that might even do them a favor. From there, a series of quarrels and misunderstandings arise between the family members, proving their deep selfishness, greed and vanity that dominates each of them.

Comedy of entanglements with Imma Cuesta (¨Primos: Cousins¨, ¨Los Buenos Modales¨), Diego Martín (¨Supernormal¨) and Sara Salámo (¨Brigada Costa del Sol¨) star in this acidic comedy of misunderstandings full of physical and twisted humor. Dealing with the Gallardos are a rich and respected family who spend their summers in a farmhouse cared for down to the smallest detail by Amparito, Tata , who, for the family's three children, Teresa, Benja and Aura, has been like a second mother, thing go wrong whe she dies and leaves a peculiar testament. El Favor directed by Juana Macías (¨Bajo el Mismo Techo¨) is about family and its ability to complicate our lives, says the director. A dead woman, revealed secrets, infidelity, classism in abundance, disgusting beings, a world full of appearances and lies and more lies... this is what this "The Favor" is about. All families have secrets and dark facts to hide but this one takes the cake. This is an extremely funny film with entertaining events , giggles , emotion , craziness, twists and love stories, though the result is mediocre. 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 disconcerting film packs amusement , comical situations , tongue-in-cheek , surrealist comedy , adding conventional pitfalls and many other things. Despite everything, we appreciate the whole wins our hearts thanks to the surprising entanglements and twists of a plot that is as well put together as it is playful, friendly, effective entertainment, avoiding swearing, dirty talking, bad words, sexual scenes and other terrible condiments of current Spanish comedy.

It displays a lively and evocative musical score by Vanessa Garde. As well as a colorful and brilliant cinematography by Andreu Rebés , being shot in Barcelona and surroundings . The motion picture was mediocre but professionally directed by Juana Macías , but with no much originality. She has directed a few acceptable films as Planes para mañana , Embarazados , Bajo el mismo techo and episodes of TV series as Madres (TV Series) , Minnie & You , La parte de atrás (TV Movie) and some Short movies .

I had a lot of fun watching this nice Spanish comedy with a funny twist at the end and enjoying the actors and Spanish language! Very good scenography, nice landscapes, good acting, it's almost like a theatre play! I particularly admired the speed of the action, the comic of the situations and also the expressions on their faces, with a remarcable Spanish touch. Any family has its secrets, this one, the Gallierdo, has its own dramas. The Monther is such a great actress, she reminds me of Catherine Deneuve, a true lady! I recommend it also for the outfits and the beauty of their dream house....

No idea why some people rate this as "mediocre". This is not an Arthouse and deep film. This is a pure fun, laugh out loud (as other reviews have said) movie. Smart writing, great timing, a couple of twists, beautifully cast, well acted, shot and directed.

I have rated it 10, in part, to balance out those who rate it low, as they clear have no sense of humour. It is a solid 8, if not 9!!

One of the best, somewhat original, comedies of recent years, including those from Hollywood - which are, of late, often sanitized, regurgitated, star driven vehicles of little originality and so light as to be merely fluff.

As a Spanish speaker, I found the translations in the subtitles to be accurate and very little is "lost in translation". My English speaking partner was laughing along with me. What we both found, to our genuine surprise, was that the laughing was not universal, even in the funniest moments when other cinema goers were laughing loadly. We could only assume that the viewers were not Spanish speakers, quick readers, easily amused or have concrete souls. They certainly had no Latin soul.

I would easily make a bet that it will be transformed into a Hollywood version that would, mostly likely, be a hit of lesser quality in a couple of years.

A beautiful example of lighthearted comedic cinema executed with excellence. Go forth and view.