Raising Children Isn't Easy Since "Instructions Not Included"

Instructions Not Included (2013)

Rated PG-13

Starring Eugenio Derbez, Loreto Peralta, Jessica Lindsey

Directed by Eugenio Derbez

The Story:

Valentin (Derbez) is a playboy living the life in Acapulco when a woman from his past (Lindsey) shows up with a baby on his doorstep.  She hands the baby to Valentin goes to pay the cab... and disappears.  Valentin takes the baby to L.A. to find the mother when fate intervenes and launches Valentin onto a new career path.  As he raises Maggie (Peralta) he comes to love and cherish that little girl.  But when the mother returns and wants to take Maggie back with her, Valentin's world begins to crumble.

What a sweet movie.

Get your glasses on, because 90% of the movie is reading subtitles, but it's worth it.

The story is a really wonderful tale about the father and daughter bonding.  Your heart melts as Valentin grows fonder and fonder of his daughter throughout the film.

As the final act unfolded, however, I began to become irritated with the direction the movie was taking.  I was ready to drop this into the "C" range, my disappointment was building throughout the court case.

Thankfully, the story spun into another direction that I wasn't expecting and the movie was salvaged for me, and the rating improved from a solid B to consideration for best of the year status.

It's really good, pretty funny and really sweet...

But bring a tissue or two.  You're going to need them.

Available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B+ 

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: The gut-punch ending doesn't dampen the beautiful story.  Probably a one and done, but you never know...