Watch Instructions Not Included
- PG-13
- 2013
- 1 hr 40 min
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7.5 (33,067)
Instructions Not Included is a 2013 Mexican comedy-drama film directed by and starring Eugenio Derbez. The film follows Valentin Bravo (Derbez), a former stuntman who has moved to Los Angeles to seek a better life for himself and his daughter, Maggie (played by Loreto Peralta). Valentin quickly finds work as a stuntman on movie sets and takes Maggie along with him, but their lives are turned upside down when a former one-night stand, Julie (played by Jessica Lindsey), drops off a baby girl he didn't know he fathered and leaves him with the responsibility of raising her.
Valentin is initially hesitant to take on the responsibility of raising the baby, but as the days go by he comes to love the little girl and decides to raise her on his own. With the help of his best friend, Rene (played by Arcelia Ramirez), Valentin sets about renovating a rundown apartment and making it a home for his new daughter.
As the years go by, Valentin and Maggie (now played by Karla Souza) form a close bond, but their lives are thrown into chaos when Julie returns, wanting to be a part of her daughter's life. At the same time, Valentin's daredevil antics start to catch up with him and he is faced with the possibility of losing his daughter.
The film handles heavy topics such as parenthood, relationships, and immigration with a deft touch, never becoming too dramatic or sappy. The comedy comes naturally from the characters as they navigate their way through life's obstacles, with Derbez's charismatic performance keeping the tone light and enjoyable.
Instructions Not Included is a heartwarming and occasionally poignant film that manages to balance humor and emotion without ever feeling heavy-handed. Derbez's performance is outstanding, and the supporting cast all do an excellent job, making the film a must-see for fans of comedy-dramas.
In short, Instructions Not Included is a touching and funny film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.
Instructions Not Included is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 55.