200 Cartas

I enjoyed seeing this movie. It was funny very beautiful scenes of Puerto Rico. It was great to finally be able to relate to characters in a movie. Loved that is was bilingual or Spanglish as we call it. I recommend it! I would love to see more movies with positive Latinos actors. As a Latina born in the united states I was able to relate to what the main character went through when speaking Spanish in Puerto Rico. It was fun to watch. It made me laugh. It was good to see that finally more movies are being made of the Latino community. We need more roles like these that show us in a different light instead of just the prisoner, gang member etc.

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!!!

Raul is an inspiring comic book writer, or as he refers a graphic novelist that is stuck writing his comics on how the superhero saves his kidnapped spouse. Looking for comfort and inspiration in a saloon, Raul suddenly thought he finally found the love of his live. Everything was going well until an alteration with a douchebag made his crush flee from the scene. With only her future location and her first and last name to pursue her, Maria Sanchez, Raul must overcome his fears and comfort zone in order to track her. A nuyorican that never visited Puerto Rico, he brings his womanizer sidekick Juan to the quest to seek Maria. Together they travel to Raul's motherland of Puerto Rico, and befriend two women (Yolanda and Rebecca) to help on their search. With 200 Maria Sanchez on the phone book, a determined Raul writes 200 letters to each one. Unexpectedly, he continues the adventure of the fantasy superhero from the moment the comic book left off.

Overall I enjoyed the film. It is an original and fresh romantic comedy that gives a lot laughs and wacky comedy. The movie is generally based in Puerto Rico with some breath taking sceneries and loony residents. But it is the main and supporting characters chemistry that wins you over. All four main characters are so different and yet they complement each other well. And Raul (Lin Manuel Miranda) is not only believable, his charms wins you over.

I'm sure the film will appeal to the Hispanic community, but I recommend the general viewer craving a few laughs to watch the comedy.