Watch Ernesto's Manifesto

Ernesto's Manifesto is a 2019 independent comedy-drama film directed and written by David M. Matthews. The movie is set in New York City and follows its titular character, Ernesto (Fernando Hidalgo), a struggling writer in his mid-thirties, who is grappling with the meaning of life, love, and his own existence. Ernesto is not content with his current state of affairs in life. He has a dead-end job as a pizza delivery guy, no real prospects of finding love, and is struggling to come up with an idea for his next novel. When his girlfriend leaves him, Ernesto spirals into a deep depression and starts having existential thoughts. He becomes obsessed with finding a way to change the world and to live a life that has meaning.

With the help of his best friend, Steve (Adam Huss), Ernesto devises a manifesto that he believes will change the world. The manifesto is a list of rules for life that Ernesto believes will lead to a more meaningful existence. He sets out to distribute his manifesto to everyone he meets and rallies people to join his cause.

Along the way, Ernesto meets a young woman named Lindsay (Amy Davidson), who works at a coffee shop. Ernesto is immediately drawn to Lindsay and sees her as a potential ally in his quest to change the world. As Ernesto tries to win Lindsay over, he begins to question his own motives and whether his manifesto is really the answer to everything.

The movie is a quirky and heartfelt exploration of love, friendship, and the search for meaning in life. It deals with themes of acceptance, self-discovery, and the fear of failure. The lead performance by Fernando Hidalgo as Ernesto is both charming and relatable, and the chemistry between him and Amy Davidson's Lindsay is palpable.

The supporting cast is also excellent, with Adam Huss giving a standout performance as Ernesto's best friend, Steve. Huss brings a lot of humor and warmth to his role, and his scenes with Hidalgo are some of the film's most enjoyable moments.

Director David M. Matthews brings a lot of heart to the movie and clearly has a deep understanding of his characters. He balances the film's comedic and dramatic elements with ease, and the result is a movie that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The movie's cinematography is also notable, with the New York City setting captured beautifully on film. The city becomes a character in its own right, and the movie's use of iconic New York locations adds to the film's overall charm.

Overall, Ernesto's Manifesto is an uplifting and enjoyable movie that is sure to resonate with viewers who are searching for meaning and purpose in their own lives. The film's message may be simple, but it is an important one - that sometimes, the answers we are looking for are right in front of us all along.

Ernesto's Manifesto is a 2019 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.