Despite Everything (2019) Poster

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4/10
As Bland As Flan
TrTm3169 May 2019
"Feel Good" movies don't have to be unbelievable, predictable, and simplistic. But this one is. It's boring. I rarely say that watching even a bad movie was a waste of my time, because even bad movies often have some redeeming feature of interest. This one doesn't; watching it was a waste of time. To make it worthwhile it should have been an hour longer.

Four thirty-ish sisters return to their parents' home in Spain for their mother's funeral. They learn that "Dad" is not their biological father, and are made to jump through hoops to learn which men are, so their Mother's will can be read. Well, no: they're made to casually stroll through one very broad hoop set at ground level with a smooth transition - no trouble at all.

Netflix Media Center's plot description says "discovering more about themselves, their mother, and their lives." Very little discovery takes place. We get only trivial insight into the four sisters' characters as the story starts. We gradually learn only token tidbits about each woman's relationship with Mom. And we learn absolutely nothing about the role played in their lives by the man they had been calling Dad, nor of his relationship with Mom. Who the biological fathers are is telegraphed early and loudly, as are the "insights" the daughters learn about themselves. All that remains is to map Dad A to Daughter 3, and so on, and the film progresses to the inevitable and obvious happy ending.

The trivial plot is carried forth by one-dimensional, stereotyped characters. A couple of the actresses apparently realize they're producing junk and seem not to even try to make it real. Netflix's technical production is excellent, of course. There are a couple of heart-warming moments. But wow, this is fluff. This storyline, to be meaningful, needs more texture and density and much more complexity at both a high and a low level.
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4/10
Excellent cast, empty characters
annaderijk14 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Looking at just the cast, you'd assume this would be a solid comedy. With some of Spain's most praised actors in recent years, not to mention iconic actress Rossy de Palma. However, the characters were so bland, the storyline not only predictable but also boring and weirdly paced, and the script very mediocre. I usually love spanish comedies because they're not afraid to go crazy with the humor, but this one just completely missed the mark for me.

For me the most tonedeaf plot point was the lesbian sister sleeping with her sister's father, for what? To create conflict that didn't impact the movie in any way because none of the conflicts mattered since the script was way too surface-leveled to make you care about any of it.

It honestly impresses me that with such a talented cast you can create such an empty movie. And very dissapointing since the premise could've been promising.
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5/10
Just 'meh'. Generous 5 stars.
marbanks2920 January 2021
If you want to watch a good movie you could definitely find something better. I watched it merely as an exercise to "practice" Spanish. The movie is visually pleasing, has a great cast and the story is rather 'meh' but easy to follow and interesting enough to watch if you're learning Spanish. If you're looking for something else, like, to have a laugh, to be moved or to actually fell any emotion at all - give it a pass.
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1/10
1 point only for the good act of the casts
at_RivyuwMamak8 May 2019
Don't. Just don't waste your time watching this. It has a lazy script and underdeveloped characters. A very poorly executed comedy movie that was not funny. At all
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6/10
Just ok
AsellusBorealis7 May 2019
"Despite everything"is a light comedy about 4 sisters and their search for their respective fathers.

This film is far from being memorable or original, but it does the trick. It is entertaining, so long as you don't expect anything profound. It does have a few good moments here and there, but it's overall pretty average.

The best thing in my opinion is the performance of the leading actresses, who do a nice job, except for Amaya Salamanca, who I've always found too artificial, like she's trying too hard, but it might be just me.

All in all, just watchable.
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2/10
Disappointing
jleeharris-369913 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this because of the two talented actresses. Blanca Suarez and Amaia Salamanca. I was very disappointed. Blanca Suarez tried but couldn't rise above the awful script. Amaia Salamanca was terribly miscast as a unhappy, confused lesbian in a bad relationship. She just goes around looking very angry for most of the movie. I saw a couple of good reviews and they noted they were drinking wine. That might be the only way to get through this. There was no character development, the poor widowed husband just looked really sad. I don't know if their agents read the scripts or the actresses do, but I don't know how someone could read this drivel and agree to act in it. Suarez's character ends up marrying the fiancee she left left to take a job in the States and I would swear that she was trying to pull away from him when they kissed at the end of the movie.
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6/10
Forgive me father(?) for you have sinned
kosmasp31 October 2019
Now I would not call the movie surprising in any way or especially grand. It still is able to entertain the viewer with 4 powerful main characters in the mix who are all looking for their father. This may not be the most interesting premise for some, but it is what we are dealt with here.

And it works to a degree (foreseeable events and all), if you allow yourself to be intrigued by it all. Now I understand that for some this seems annoying and boring. That is fair, but it should never make you question the actresses involved and even more so spanish cinema overall. This tells you what it is, so you are never cheated in anything
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1/10
Only 78 minutes
nyestec24 August 2023
The only good thing about it is its length: only 78 minutes. Still, if you're thinking about watching this, spare yourself the time knowing that whatever else you do, you're better off.

The storyline is imbecile, the dialogues and scenes feel like they had been dreamt up by the creators when they were still in grade seven. It is a disgrace to Spanish cinematography. The creators ought never to have been allowed to be in a position to make this movie. Humankind have wasted the scarce resources of our planet.

I wished to have written a much briefer review - one that is two sentences short (the first two) , but had to meet minimum length requirements! This film certainly does not warrant a 600-character review!
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7/10
Flan-tastic!
Racingphan21 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun. The English overdubs here are attrocious. However, the actresses playing the four sisters are fantastic. And extremely beautiful.
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3/10
This could have been a Hallmark story.
planoscorp1237 May 2019
With such a cast and the storyline I heard about, I expected this to be fun. As I watched the film I kept thinking, is this all there is? It wasn't going anywhere. Well, at least there's the beautiful Blanca Suarez, who has a nice looking boyfriend. That didn't matter since he didn't know how to kiss. There were a few things that were cute, however the film was a big disappointment.
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10/10
Fresh and entertaining
arnone-8138422 May 2019
It is a modern comedy that is firmly connected to some of Almodovar most provocative and entertaining classics. There is great chemistry and synergy between these talented group of actresses and a nice rhythm keeps the story drive to it's beat and unfold nicely. Enjoy with a glass of sangria!
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7/10
A cute uplifting movie
Mangeles-soriano28 August 2019
Cute story with 4 great actresses. Well, 6, counting Rosy de Palma and Marisa Paredes.
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1/10
trash
oohlala-216278 May 2019
If I could give it minus 10, I would do just that. What a drivel! From the story line to performances this so called comedy is so unbelievably trashy and empty of any substance. Spain cinema used to stand out for its excellence. I guess no more.
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1/10
You will lose your time in nothing
alismarthuman12 May 2019
Film is not worth pursuing, I think it makes no sense to have such films.
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7/10
Meh
shana-wells26 May 2019
This is a chick flick feel good movie. Always important to say things while you're alive to let loved ones know how you feel.
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1/10
Abrupt and shallow
arzkal29 January 2021
Maxi Iglesias (Alejandro) diction, was a disgrace!!! Can't be understood, his horrendous abrupt Spanish, common in Spanish actors between the ages of thirteen and forty. The female actresses (including Marisa Paredes) who have enough proof that they can act, look here like plasticine, soft, hollow bodies meaning NOTHING. And then the obsession about the word "follar" (to fu*"*k), overly used: it seems that Spaniards in general are insecure beigns, feeling kind of inferior and they can only assert their value by swearing: how limiting, what a lack of artistic value. Awful movie, what a waste!
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1/10
Don't waste your time.
dnljordaan20 August 2019
The Spaniards are known for producing below standard comedies, but this one takes the cake. It is long winded and totally predictable. This movie also dances with stereotyping minorities and the laughs are non existent.
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2/10
Typical Spanish soap opera.Sweet.
alr-422859 June 2019
Typical Spanish soap opera type chick flick.Not bad if you are used to these type of movie.Definitely not an action movie.And that's ok.Keep moving if action is what you are looking for action.
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10/10
Very Fun
sharkattack-1229218 May 2019
Such a fun, well written film! I really enjoyed watching it, lots of laughs and I loved the female storylines. Great work!!
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4/10
Very shallow and not funny
itsilana29 March 2024
I expected to see a nice comedy. Instead what I saw was a boring and not funny film. Except the wonderful Rossy de Palma whom I admire, not a single actor had a good or interesting role. The sisters are terrible, egoistic, stupid and useless. Their mother seemed a terrible woman as well, it's unclear why their father stayed with her at all. The men in this film are losers without any spine in general. The storyline is boring- sort of quest for finding the fathers, while nothing interesting comes out of this - no new character or storyline development. It's good the film was short - 1h20mins. Not recommended.
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10/10
A Comedy by Women For Women (and the Men who love them)
sparx-219 May 2019
Really charming comedy. The chemistry between the leads is palpable. Don't miss it!
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10/10
Wow. Fantastic
producer-026778 June 2019
I enjoy the movie.he ladies are great. Well done. Funny, unexpected, love it!!!!
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