Tell Me When (2020) User Reviews

A truly UNIQUE romcom

[GreenGableViews · 7/10 · 11 May 2021]

I am incredibly shocked to see the low rating here. I expected the average rating to be in the 7s. If nothing else, please take from my review that you should give this a chance!

Perhaps the issue is that these viewers went into it expecting something different. It is a romantic comedy but it's more layered, intimate, and subtle than the average film in this genre. Where so many romcoms go wrong is that the entire focus is on the romance, which is very often based upon only a couple interactions, unrealistic.

Quite the opposite with this one: the secondary characters were fleshed out, the location and setting was well represented. And the couple ACTUALLY spent enough time together, in situations where they could genuinely get to know each other, that you could believe they could realistically fall in love, not just infatuation or sexual attraction.

I don't want to give away spoilers but I will say that I enjoyed the comparisons between the main characters grandfather and grandmother's romance, and how it related to his relationship with his new friend. And the inclusion of others in their love story which gives a hint that sometimes the road to lifelong love isn't one grand gesture, but taking things slow, really getting to know each other, and building upon a friendship first.

Any successful long-term marriage/relationship, in real life, is based on friendship. That's something that most romance movies forget. There were also some stylistic choices that I felt did a great job finding a creative way to express the feelings we all experience when it comes to love.

Give this film a chance, if you are the sort of person who wants to watch a different kind of romcom. You'd have to go into it knowing that it's going to be more subtle. Not boring, just subtle. If you go into that attitude and expectation I think you'll have a better time

A wonderful film, representing Mexican cinema making really well, and something that I think over time more people will "get" and might even become a cult classic.

Fresca Comedia

[maykermedina · 6/10 · 17 January 2021]

An enchanting comedy, beautiful places and landscapes, funny performances with a true story that can happen to anyone. the music is the best well selected for each take and for what they want to convey

Very cliché, but cool...

[RosanaBotafogo · 7/10 · 26 April 2021]

Fun, some good funny scenes, very cliché, but cool, our eternal Maria Joaquina (Ludwika Paleta) ...

Better than your average Mexican romantic comedy

[gregorysamuelruben · 7/10 · 5 May 2021]

I've watched a bunch of these Netflix originals (for Spanish practice) and this one of the better ones. The cinematography is actually pretty outstanding. The main actors in the film all give good performances. And the ending was enough of a twist on the typical cliche that it felt like a more modern, sensitive take on a more "real" love story.

It's not going to win any awards but it's worth a watch.

Cliche is ... good (?)

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 9 August 2022]

Sometimes a cliche can be used and as a viewer you might not mind that much. Or a movie can be built upon a few of them. Again, depending on your thresshold and what you are able to be forgiving of .. it can work in your and the movies favor.

Something you have to consider when it comes to the movie right here. Dancing around them (no pun intended) may be one way you can look at them. You have to have a soft spot for some romance, drama and light comedy of course ... can you see that in you? And obviously in a movie you are about to watch? Well go ahead and do it then.

Meh.

[pazortegaandrade · 4/10 · 22 April 2021]

Production, camera work and editing are pretty good. Soundtrack is top notch.

Plot wise is mediocre at best. There's no chemistry nor reason why the protagonists should be together, other than, 'our families know each other from years back and my grandpa last wish is for me to get a partner'.

Funny, touching, enjoyable.... better yet, not Hollywood!

[andletlive · 6/10 · 30 April 2021]

A professional very nerdy guy from the US goes to Mexico to explore his roots, and has a bit of a cultural clash, and a few kind of life-changing experiences -- from the mundane to romance.

It's a farfetched story, farcical, but with some realistic Mexican aspects that makes somewhat different than Hollywood -- subtle farce with somewhat realistic characters one can find in modern Mexico. They are caricatures, yes, but not jerks doing whatever for a laugh, whether it makes sense or not, as I've seen too much of in the past.

Some rom-com clichés in this one, yes -- it's a rom-com, a cliché by definition. But some aspects are different form the typical Hollywood. Made this one fun to watch.

The story feels somewhat different, original, refreshing. The characters and the environment are kind of realistic Mexican (for a farce) with a little different sense of humor. The differences are realistic, not exaggerated -- unlike so many USA films portraying Mexican characters as primitive clichés.

I story really

[marcovinicio-74921 · 2/10 · 3 May 2021]

You never know what was the movie about, first the grandpa died, then he goes to Mexico to do something that was written on a notebook, and then falls in love. I never knew what was his job, and why was he always apparently overdoing it, did he quit? Was he on holiday? Did she do well on her play? Why was the flat empty when he arrived in Mexico? Was it for rent?

This is a movie that leaves more questions than answers and seems to be about nothing, because there is not even a central romance.

I celebrate the beautiful photography and the fun soundtrack, but that's about all.

Avoidable

[faer_kr · 1/10 · 10 January 2021]

A Mexican romantic comedy. It is about a boy who when his grandfather dies decides to go to CDMX to fulfill a wish list that he had because he has not lived. A somewhat interesting approach that is lost. It has no comedy and zero romance. The leading couple have no chemistry on screen. The performances not outstanding. Situation comedy that doesn't make you laugh, just the two moments that Héctor Bonilla appears. He doesn't talk about anything. The script seems to be written by a teenager, the language is precarious for an adult. Things happen because you have to fill in time but it never shows a love story. Avoidable.

Great and easy to watch

[martinplom · 8/10 · 3 May 2021]

It was a light, fun and enjoyable movie. Worth the watch.

It had so much potential

[jmgonzo · 4/10 · 21 September 2023]

What hooked me in was the uplifting vibe I got from the trailer. It started of well with the grandpa's mentorship. I was led to believe that was his want in this film, but got lost in itself. The story is not clear, plus the tempo is very slow and dry with a rare touch of charm. The sound design came with a soundtrack that didn't fit (don't get me wrong, I love that songs but they didn't fit) if you're trying to find something to put on while you sleep, this is perfect for you. Long beats of silence, make it more uncomfortable that it should.

I wanted to like this, but it felt so open ended and confusing. This could've been way shorter and still say the same thing.

Meh..

[Mrojaspoison1 · 5/10 · 22 March 2023]

I want it to be more... it's a cute movie. The idea is super nice!

Mexico City always a jewel to watch on film.

The acting decent. But If this happened to me in real life I would be freaked out of a guy like that. I needed more substance on his character, too boring, to soft; not an awkward-cute or funny personality. I couldn't fall for him (like I do on movies with the main characters) his acting was nice, it was just the character... Daniele's friends are the best part of the movie.

In general I think they could've done much more with the story and characters.

It's just like any other romantic not too funny story.

Waist of time

[lizdelatorrelopez · 1/10 · 22 April 2021]

You can resume the movie in two words: slow and boring.

Bad and cheese movie.

[jmunoz1957 · 2/10 · 26 April 2021]

One more. This is another mediocre film. I feel sorry for Ximena Romo because she is an excellent actress.

Great Lighthearted Mexican Rom-Com!

[cisned90 · 8/10 · 10 May 2021]

I've never written a review, but after reading some of these harsh criticisms, I felt the need to do so.

The scrip is a pretty standard Rom-Com, but it feels fresh and lighthearted. It has a sincere feel to it, keeping you engaged and involved with the main characters.

The movie feels more like a love letter to DF, Mexico City, with interesting characters/performances that help you connect to the city and the group.

The story is simple, but interesting to keep your attention. I believe it's more of a tale about friendship rather than love, and it does a good job at separating itself from a basic Rom-Com.

Knowing this is the Directors first movie, I'm excited to see more, and hope he continues to utilize his lighthearted and sincere style that could make people fall in love with his movies.

Had some funny scenes, but also a lot of boring, long scenes and a lot of romantic comedy clichès

[jannikpeveling · 5/10 · 4 May 2021]

All in all a typical (often boring) romantic comedy with a few funny scenes. Not a good movie but not really bad either.

Slow and boring strory

[vacong · 4/10 · 16 July 2021]

Self loathing main vanilla character goes on a trip after his grandfather dies to find his roots as all he does is work. Sad case like all real life you get what you give he falls for a cute girl which the stories shows no real connection between the 2 and some how fall for each other. At least show some effort of why she would fall for him there is always that one moment you define a person. Should be called friend zoned.

Stays in mediocrity

[DogePelis2015 · 5/10 · 9 May 2021]

The soundtrack is good and the editing is decent; however, this does not save the forced, generic and very predictable plot; NO MORE POOR QUALITY MEXICAN FILMS.

I thought this was a bad movie about Mexico City

[luis-gtza · 1/10 · 30 April 2021]

But it didn't. It was just a bad movie about nothing. There's nothing good to talk about this movie. Storyline... nothing. Acting.... nothing. Cinematography... nothing. Script....nothing. Art... nothing. Mexican actors and directors should take an additional step and start making movies apart from drug cartels and nonsense. Copycat Almodóvar, and setup locations in Colonia Roma or Condesa in Mexico City to look like Almodóvar locations in Spain just doesn't fill the gap between a good movie and crap. Nor copying Tarkovsky like Gonzalez Iñárritu did in The Revenant. There's a lack of imagination and creativity of Mexican script writers flowing out from limited and boring personal experiences disconnected from reality like this film did. Maybe some good ideas accompanied with poor execution.

It has a very 500 days of summer feel!

[antoniohsalgado · 8/10 · 20 February 2023]

It's a fun, easy watch, movie! The soundtrack is top notch and very on point for every scene. I read a few comments that this movie was not funny but maybe those viewers saw it with English audio or English subtitles, which most of the Mexican-comedy tone gets lost in translation. I thought it was very funny... scripting felt organic...Beto crushed it! The reason I gave this an 8 and not a 10 was because the plot was very obvious and because I wanted to see more of Mexico. Nevertheless, it's a fun movie to watch your family. I watched it with my parents and they loved the music, the reel of Mexican culture and places, and the appearances of great actors like Hector Bonilla, Vero, and JC Ruiz!

Lovely romantic comedy

[joanabriz · 8/10 · 10 June 2021]

A comedy full of smart details, with a fantastic soundtrack, brutal image capture and a beautiful message.

Worth a chance

[jocelynselg · 10/10 · 7 May 2023]

Super underrated movie!

Has more than one meaning if you pay closely attention to it. From being a Mexican American living in the United States, getting jobs that pay well to live up to your family's goals for yourself. To going to Mexico and not being from there but not being 100 American at the same time. To falling in love and not knowing how to handle it because you've never been a relationship, it about taking chances. This movie has so many twist and life lessons that chances are that if you go through this you'll understand but it's a beautiful small film to watch and that deserves closer attention. Its a rom com that doesn't tend in happily ever after, it ends in " One day at a time" It worth the watch..

Funny mex movie

[ysandoval-09232 · 8/10 · 2 September 2021]

If you're Mexican, you'll enjoy their humor.

Funny rom com movie Not your typical comedy movie, since they don't put actual comedy lines. What makes it funny is how natural they are with a regular conversation.