Instructions Not Included
Instructions Not Included Image
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 39 Ratings

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  • Starring: , , , , , , , , ,
  • Summary: Valentin is Acapulco’s resident playboy–until a former fling leaves a baby on his doorstep and takes off without a trace. Valentin leaves Mexico for Los Angeles to find the baby’s mother, but only ends up finding a new home for himself and his newfound daughter, Maggie. An unlikely father fiher figure, Valentin raises Maggie for six years, while also establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s top stuntmen to pay the bills, with Maggie acting as his on-set coach. As Valentin raises Maggie, she forces him to grow up too. But their unique and offbeat family is threatened when Maggie’s birth mom shows up out of the blue, and Valentin realizes he’s in danger of losing his daughter- and his best friend.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Arizona Republic
    Reviewed by: Bill Goodykoontz
    Aug 29, 2013
    70
    Some of the comic bits are a little too broad and silly, but Derbez, in his feature debut, makes Instructions Not Included a balancing act more successful than it should be.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Annlee Ellingson
    Sep 4, 2013
    70
    There's a lot of movie here with unexpected developments, held together by the irresistible chemistry between Derbez and his adorable pint-sized co-star.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Michael O'Sullivan
    Sep 6, 2013
    63
    The film’s counterintuitive success is largely due to Derbez, who demonstrates why he is beloved, both south and north of the border.
  4. Movie Nation
    Reviewed by: Roger Moore
    Sep 11, 2013
    50
    The ending of the movie is a real grabber, the sort of thing that lifts and improves a tediously long and otherwise mediocre film and tricks you into thinking it was better than it really was as you leave the theater.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Joe Leydon
    Sep 5, 2013
    40
    Instructions Not Included is a sporadically amusing but unduly protracted dramedy that slowly — very slowly — devolves into a shameless tearjerker during its third act.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 3 out of 16
  1. Carlin77
    Sep 24, 2013
    10
    It is a movie to remember. It is one of the greatest comdys of all time. It will become a classic instantly.
    Eugenia Derbez is in one of his     best performances of all time and the best since he ended the show la familia P. Luche. If you are going to the movies soon, I recommend you to see it you will not retreated.… Expand
  2. babiboo23
    Sep 10, 2013
    10
    This movie is such a great movie, I loved it. It made me laugh so much and cry towards the end. Very good story line, la la loved it. No one walked out of that movie disappointed they all agreed it was a fantastic movie. P.s dont forget your tissues… Expand
  3. beinghuman
    Sep 19, 2013
    10
    Comedy drama and the whole range of emotions in between; the story has definite cultural characteristics that make it more powerful if understood.

    However, the conflict of values generated by the plot -a single, freedom loving beach bum in Acapulco faced with the responsibility of raising a daughter, traveling to a country he does not understand, and forging a happy life in the face of the most devastating adversity, is universal and should touch everyone's heart.

    When an artist has the inspiration to move the audience from laughter to tears he has accomplished his goal of touching people's lives.

    The critics have spoken, now the public is raving! A masterpiece of a great comedian.
    Go see it for yourself. Highly recommend it.    … Expand
  4. RUSOFAPGAR2001
    Oct 1, 2013
    10
    Great movie, very few movies make me cry an laugh at the same time, if you consider the $5 million budget, this movie is great hit, its a "must see" movie, in any language, in any country, you will get the message, Highly recomended.… Expand
  5. webswever
    Sep 1, 2013
    10
    This movie has the emotional intensity of BELLA, the humor of JUNO, and the social ramifications of KRAMER vs KRAMER. (I know I have watched a good movie when a year later, I scan the video store shelf and I can remember the plot of the movie. Trust me,you will remember everything from this film.) Loved the line sincerely expressed by a friend to the new Mexican father, "You better learn English so you can understand your American baby when she starts speaking." Don't let the subtitles keep you away.… Expand
  6. TVJerry
    Sep 9, 2013
    6
    This is the highest grossing Spanish-language film to open in North America and it's aimed squarely at the family-film audience that Disney targets. Eugenio Derbez (who also co-wrote & directed) plays a ladies' man, whose life is upended when one of his former girlfriends drops off her baby at his door. Seven years later, she shows back up to re-claim the daughter he's raised. This is big on sentiment: broad comedy, dramatic conflict and tender emotion. Loreto Peralta (the daughter) is sweet and appealing. The audience around me was enthusiastic (some of the references are strictly cultural) and the movie is not without charms, but it's not likely to appeal to English-speaking families because of the subtitles.… Expand
  7. lexlexmsb
    Oct 6, 2013
    0
    We have seen this type of story over and over again, last time the playboy was interpreted by Adam Sandler in Big Daddy. This movie is predictable, it represents bad television and bad film making, the kind sadly sponsored by Televisa to a public with very low standards and expectations.
    Derbez acting and characterization of a playboy is highly poorly drafted and executed.    … Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

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