Instructions Not Included (2013)

A man who has made a new life for himself and the daughter left on his doorstep 6 years ago finds his family threatened when the birth mother resurfaces.

Director:

Eugenio Derbez

Writers:

Guillermo Ríos, Leticia López Margalli

Stars:

Eugenio Derbez, Karla Souza, Jessica Lindsey

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andrés Vázquez	...	Valentín niño
Hugo Stiglitz	...	Johnny Bravo
Eugenio Derbez	...	Valentín
Leia Freitas	...	Amante Brasileña
Ángela Moreno	...	Amante Dominicana
Gilda Gentile	...	Amante Argentina
Nancy Taira	...	Amante Oriental
Jessica Lindsey	...	Julie
Sammy Pérez	...	Sammy
Arcelia Ramírez	...	Judeisy
Agustín Bernal	...	Lupe
Gregg Lucas	...	Agente migración
Roger Cudney	...	Abogado Julie
Migael Penix	...	Portero hotel L.A.
Daniel Raymont	...	Frank Ryan

Storyline

Valentin is Acapulco's resident playboy womanizer, until a former fling, a young American named Julie, leaves a baby on his doorstep and takes off without a trace. Leaving Mexico for Los Angeles to find the baby's mother, Valentin ends up finding a new home for himself and his newfound daughter, Maggie. An unlikely father 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, Julie, shows up out of the blue after six years after turning her own life around and wants full custody of Maggie, and Valentin realizes he's in danger of losing his daughter - and his best friend.

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Plot Keywords:

mexico | father daughter relationship | los angeles california | amusement park | lawyer | 

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Taglines:

Life doesn't care if you're ready.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, thematic elements and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

6 September 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Instructions Not Included

Filming Locations:

Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,378,558, 1 September 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$44,467,206

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$99,067,206

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alebrije Cine y Video, Fulano, Mengano y Asociados

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eugenio Derbez admitted on TV that this project needed twelve years (since the original idea)to be concluded due to the specific detail of the movie he had in mind. As a result, he had to wait several years to get the money for it.

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Quotes

Maggie: [Performing a ritual with a charm after a stunt] No fall, nor wound, nor aching head... can stop this charm from bringing you back from the dead!

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Salma Hayek/Mike Birbiglia/Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson (2017)

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Soundtracks

Sueña Corazón
Written by Benny Ibarra De Llano
Performed by Benny

User Reviews

Best Foreign Picture Oscar?

I had trepidation when dozens of Latinos entered the theater, but even in subtitles, this gem is so typical of those plucked by Lionheart. The plot is so much more than a rehash of the formula of 'Three Men and a Baby," and I wish I could have created a room like that for my daughter. I have not laughed in delight so much in a long time. This film is beautifully done, with a great behind the scenes look at stunt men, and Hollywood.

Congratulations are due to Eugenio Derbez, the star, director and producer. He is a fine actor with great comic timing, and genuine emotions.

DO NOT MISS THIS GEM.