Instructions Not Included (2013)

This is not a comedy. Summary on IMDb could lead you to wrong expectations from this movie and rating is too low. Movie is somewhat funny, but it definitely isn't comedy. It is beautiful, deeply emotional drama about relationship between single father and his daughter and about ways they handle all the twists life brings. If you did not shed single tear during this movie, please go to X-ray and check if you have heart at all. Technically, it is not anything special, just average production, but emotion it carries is priceless.8,5/10.......................................

INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED is a heartwarming story about love and what it means to be family, especially when it doesn't exactly look like what you'd expect. I haven't watched too many Spanish-language films, but for the most part I haven't been disappointed. This falls right in line with the others. Eugenio Derbez directed and starred in this, and the best part of this movie was the chemistry between him and his on screen daughter, played by Loreto Peralta. The relationship they portrayed was very real, believable and touching. There was also lots of humor, even though the movie isn't a straight comedy (the movie was slightly mis-marketed). For the most part the performances are OK, with Eugenio Derbez being the standout. Loreto Peralta also gave quite a good performance for a child actor, although her Spanish delivery was better than her English delivery. Still, despite so much to recommend about this picture there are a few missteps along the way. For one, the pacing is off in some parts and the movie goes on a little too long, though it never quite wears out its welcome. There is a sequence/plot point late in the movie that could have been omitted. Also, at some points it seems like they are trying too hard to be sentimental. However, there is one surprise (which I won't spoil)) that is hinted at early on, but the reveal still caught me off-guard. The movie also ends rather abruptly shortly after this point, which was kind of odd. Still, I challenge anyone watching this to not be moved in some way. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this film and see no reason why any serious movie-goer wouldn't get some enjoyment out of it as well.

A tad bit of a spoiler!We are Hispanics and when we saw Eugene Derbez as the main character we weren't expecting nothing great because he's a Hispanic comedian and we didn't think it was going to blend to good with an American movie, But boy did this movie prove us wrong. It has everything! Now its hard to get my husband to get emotional during a movie, not just any movie gets him to tear up, but this movie had him holding our daughter so tight by the end of it! This movie makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you value things but the best part of this movie is you carry it with you its one of those movies you cant stop thinking about shortly after watching it! Amazing movie definitely recommend it amazing job Eugene Derbez you have worked your way up incredibly!

I have to start by saying I am Hispanic, but do not enjoy Spanish movies unless they are outstanding. Actually the only good Spanish movies I have ever seen are from Guillermo Del Toro with " Pans Laberynth and the orphan. But this movie made me remember about the movie " Life is Beautiful/ La vida es bella".It has humor and it is so touching. This movie makes you cry, laugh and it leaves a beautiful message at the end of all the fears we have in life and how to win the battle of life. I thought the little girl and Derbez were outstanding. At the beginning when I start seeing the movie I was like " What joke of a movie is this". But once the scenes of the little girl come in while she is potty trained, it catches me from that moment until the end.This is not a movie for Spanish people only, it is a movie for English speakers too. As I said, it is not for the jokes it is for the message it has and for the feeling you have once left the theater. It is one of those movies that leave you thinking like for a week. I even called some family members in my country in Colombia and told them " Hey guys you have to go see this".You will not regret seeing this movie, it is worth the 2 hours it takes.