Un Padre No Tan Padre
Mostly sweet Spanish-language comedy has some iffy stuff.
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Un Padre No Tan Padre
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Un Padre No Tan Padre, a Spanish-language comedy with English subtitles, is a sweet, if somewhat edgy, film about what it means to be a family. Characters smoke, consume, grow, and sell pot, as well as drink and smoke cigarettes. Translated swearing includes "f--k," and there's a beating, a fire scene, partial nudity, a death, and homophobia. Main character Don Servando starts out bitter, mean, and closed-minded about everything, but he eventually comes around in surprising ways -- and the overarching themes include communication, empathy, and compassion. Parents and teens may like how Servando warms up to his new community, but the subject matter is likely too mature for younger kids.
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What's the Story?
Servando Villegas (Hector Bonilla) wasn't a good father to his youngest adult child, Francisco (Benny Ibarra). But when Don Servando gets kicked out of his nursing home in UN PADRE NO TAN PADRE and has nowhere else to go, Francisco takes him in. Servando, who's already an angry, bitter homophobe, isn't happy when he finds out that Francisco now goes by Fran and lives in a commune with his girlfriend, a teen son Servando didn't know existed, and eight other people. After offending everyone in the house, Servando must face up to his failings as a father and what it really means to be part of a family.
Is It Any Good?
There isn't much surprising in this Spanish-language comedy, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun to watch. Don Servando starts out as a pretty terrible human being, but it's not hard to guess that he'll eventually open his heart -- and his mind -- to the charming group of people in the gorgeous house/commune in San Miguel de Allende.
Servando, a bully with a cane that he loves to swing around (and hit people with), is played well by Bonilla; he grunts, he stares, he berates, and he sometimes does nice things – all in an appealing way. And the rest of the cast is delightful, including Ibarra. His Fran struggles not only with a terrible father, but also with his own talented son, who wants to go his own way. The commune is filled with interesting people from all over the world; they seem a bit like stereotypes at first, but they all have reasons for being there. The nontraditional family at the heart of Un Padre No Tan Padre may be fairly cookie-cutter, but you'll still enjoy getting to know them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Un Padre No Tan Padre's characters and story demonstrate communication, compassion, and empathy. Why are these important character strengths?
Three characters in the movie lie to their parents about how they live or how they want to live. Teens: Do you feel comfortable talking to your parents about your life and the future?
What should you do if a relative/close friend says something that offends you? Has that ever happened to you? Did you say something or let it go?
What audience do you think this movie is aimed at? How can you tell?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 27, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: June 13, 2017
- Cast: Hector Bonilla, Benny Ibarra De Llano, Jacqueline Bracamontes
- Director: Raul Martinez
- Studio: Pantelion Films
- Genre: Comedy
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Empathy
- Run time: 94 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: drug material, some language and partial nudity
- Last updated: January 1, 2023
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