‘CASA DE MI PADRE’ (HOUSE OF MY FATHER) is a Will Ferrell
comedy in Spanish and it is his idea. Correct, this film is in Spanish with
English Subtitles. Will Ferrell is one of the producers of the film directed by
Matt Piedmont from the screenplay by writer/producer Andrew Steele, both of
whom won Emmy Awards for their work on Saturday Night Live. ‘Casa de mi Padre’
is a romantic action adventure with the feel of a classic telenovela (soap
opera). Piedmont and Steele were in Austin for the SXSW Film Festival screening
of the film and I participated in an interview with them. “Most of the
inspiration for the movie came from old Mexican movies and Spaghetti Westerns
and even old, classic Hollywood films with dramatic themes. Telenovelas were
the little extra flavoring on top thrown in,” Piedmont says.
For those who are fans of Ferrell’s comedy, get ready to
follow him on this venture as Armando Alvarez, the son of a Mexican rancher, Miguel
Ernesto Alvarez (Pedro Armendariz Jr.). Armando has lived and worked on the
ranch in Mexico his entire life, so to say the least he has limited social
skills outside of his two ranch hand friends, Esteban (Efren Ramirez) and Manuel
(Adrian Martinez).
Armando's younger brother Raul (Diego Luna) is also Daddy’s
favorite son, which leads to some very funny scenes. Raul claims to have
success as an international businessman while gone from the ranch, so he comes
bearing gifts and plans to help the family financially. He also presents his
new fiancée, Sonia (Genesis Rodriguez) and proves his machismo versus that of
Armando who has come under question by those on the ranch.
As with the telenovela, there is family drama among the
members and even more when the beauty is added to the mix. The complicated
relationship with father and sons emerges until it reaches a boiling point.
Despite not being supported by his father, trusting Raul's business deals or Sonia,
who he thinks is only there for the money; Armando loves his family and the
ranch.
Sonia has a moment with Armando and tells of Raul's business
and how he tangled with Mexico's most feared drug lord, the mighty Onza (Gael
Garcia Bernal). She fears for her life too and when Armando has a change of
heart, he and the Alvarez family finds themselves warring for all they love.
The veteran Mexican actors, Armendariz Jr., Luna, Garcia Bernal and Rodriguez are all pros and experienced in telenovela work aside from
cinema. Their performance is perfectly delivered and each brings their
respective character to life. It is watching them be goofballs that I found so
much fun to watch while they mock what is actually happening in the real world.
Ferrell did a pretty good job at learning Spanish for his character. There is
cheese in some scenes and then there is a double dose of it in others that a
viewer may not expect. Nick Offerman is DEA Agent Parker and also lands some
great lines in his scenes.
There are plenty of puppets and props in the film that enhance
the low budget feel to the film and ‘The Muppets’ makers had a hand in making
this happen for Piedmont and Steele.
CASA DE MI PADRE is a Nala & Gary Sanchez production, distributed
by PANTELION Films. Duration: 84 minutes Rated: R
Producers: Adam McKay, Emilio Diez Barroso, Darlene Caamaño Loquet
Executive Producers: Kevin Messick, Scott Lumpkin, Jessica Elbaum, Billy Rovzar, Fernando Rovzar and Alex Garcia
CASA DE MI PADRE OPENS FRIDAY MARCH 16, 2012 NATIONWIDE
By Liz Lopez
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