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      Abel

      Released Mar 4, 2011 1h 24m Comedy Drama List
      93% 15 Reviews Tomatometer 77% 500+ Ratings Audience Score With his father long gone, a disturbed youngster (Christopher Ruíz-Esparza) tries to take over his family as man of the house. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (51) audience reviews
      Audience Member Unexpected treatment of child mental illness that mixes lightness with dark themes of parental abandon and skips the Hollywood happy ending. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Its simplicity is the greatest charm of this heart-warming little jewel from actor-turned-director Diego Luna, whose experience in Hollywood gained him a promising career as a filmmaker. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member 3.0/4.0 A simple yet original directorial debut from actor Diego Luna centers on a poor Mexican kid (Christopher Ruiz-Esparza in the title role) who gets out of a hospital after spending two years there for psychological treatment for a condition that was seemingly caused by his dad's (Jose Maria Yazpik) departure. His mother (Karina Gidi), older sister and younger brother try to deal with him and then one day he takes on his lost father's role as man of the house! Intriguing premise somehow works as it showcases how a simple family can accept anything for happiness. This would have been really ludicrous and funny with the wrong lead but Ruiz-Esparza is serious and heart-rending in his delivery that he makes this work. Other actors are strong overall especially Gidi. For some reason, the movie loses a bit of its power when the father re-enters the picture and we get to know his story (which I won't ruin here), mainly because one feels a disconnect between his story and Abel's condition. But overall an engrossing movie with some surprisingly tense (especially the finale) and other heartwarming moments. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member This is definitely not a neatly packaged film, which makes for great interpretation and analysis. What is the true role of a father, and can it even be simply defined? Add to that mental health issues, and you have a film that takes you on an interesting, and sometimes freaky, journey. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member I respect the film for tackling a very particular and unique mental state, the premise is quite different from any film I've seen. The performances were good, especially from the main character, some of the best acting I've seen from a child, considering the subject matter makes it more impressive. Taking the precocious little kid and turning that on its head is a good move and layering a bunch of family drama on top definitely got my attention. However, as the film progressed, it got more and more silly until it suddenly got very serious then it ended somewhat abruptly, somewhat leaving us back where we started. Maybe it's a testament to the film that I care so much, but I was definitely left wanting more. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Funny, sad, visually and emotionally engaging Mexican film about a young boy who thinks he is the father that previously walked out on the family. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (15) Critics Reviews
      Philip French Guardian After its edgy, deliberately puzzling first hour, it starts to run out of steam, but at 85 minutes it doesn't overstay its welcome. Jan 10, 2011 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian It's an intriguing film... Rated: 3/5 Jan 6, 2011 Full Review Tom Seymour Little White Lies Abel may mark the beginning of a major new Latin American voice. Rated: 3/5 Jan 6, 2011 Full Review Kaleem Aftab The List Abel works best as a situational comedy... There is also a serious message about parental abandonment and the treatment of children by society that doesn't always hit home. Rated: 3/5 Nov 6, 2018 Full Review Allan Hunter Daily Express (UK) Diego Luna's promising debut as a director is a slight and charming tale of a troubled young boy's retreat into fantasy. Jan 10, 2011 Full Review Matthew Turner ViewLondon Enjoyable, off-beat drama that's both darkly funny and emotionally engaging, thanks to assured direction from Diego Luna and a terrific central performance from young Christopher Ruiz-Esparza. Rated: 4/5 Jan 10, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis With his father long gone, a disturbed youngster (Christopher Ruíz-Esparza) tries to take over his family as man of the house.
      Director
      Diego Luna
      Producer
      Gael García Bernal, Lianne Halfon, Geminiano Pineda
      Screenwriter
      Diego Luna, Augusto Mendoza
      Genre
      Comedy, Drama
      Original Language
      Spanish
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Mar 4, 2011, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Nov 18, 2016
      Runtime
      1h 24m