Full of warmth and charm, despite a confusing and muddy screenplay
Leo lives the ultimate bachelor life in the Canary Islands: working at the beach bar, where he also lives. He spends his days on the beach, and his nights with a variety of guests in his bed. All that is thrown into turmoil when a fling from the previous year, Julia, turns up with a baby, claiming she is his. After spending the night, Julia flees the next morning, leaving baby Alba behind. After being thrown into an understandable panic, Leo ends up back on the mainland and settles into contented fatherhood. His life is once again turned upside when Julia turns up eight years later, wanting custody of Alba.
Babies Don’t Come With Instructions plays on an old trope, and generally does it with heart. The ubiquitous Paco León is perfectly cast as Leo, and Silvia Alonso puts in a solid performance as Julia. But the show is stolen by young actor Maia Zaitegi who is utterly adorable as Alba. The supporting cast all do a solid day’s work, particularly as the characters who live in the same apartment block as Leo and Alba.
But there are major issues with the narrative.
The three screenwriters, Marta Sánchez, Irene Niubó, and Guillermo Ríos appear to have ended up writing a script by committee. In the one feature we have the bachelor turning suddenly into a father. Then the relinquishing mother returning to take the child. We have concepts of family, and the ethics of lying to children. We have paternity tests. We have Leo’s fear of heights translating into his getting a job climbing tall buildings in Bilbao (???). And then to top it all off, we have serious illness. By the time this film finishes one is not quite sure what the point exactly was. It’s all rather messy and confusing. Director Marina Seresesky does her best with the material she is given, but she cannot work miracles.
And yet…there is still something charming and engaging about this feature, possibly anchored in the wonderful chemistry between León and Zaitegi. With sprinklings of great humour, some charming characters, and a few delightful moments, this movie is still strangely enjoyable.
Babies Don’t Come With Instructions is showing as part of the HSBC Spanish Film Festival from June 11th
For more information click here.
For screening times and to book tickets, click here.
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