Pulling Strings (2013) User Reviews

A crazy but thoroughly enjoyable ride.

[manchee · 7/10 · 13 October 2013]

After the death of his wife, a promising singer's career is put on hold as he tries to cope with the loss and take care of his young daughter, Maria. Depressed and not believing he is doing enough for his daughter, Alejandro (Jaime Camil) decides to send her to her grandparents in the United States. Unfortunately when he goes to get a visa at the US Embassy his application is rejected by an unsympathetic embassy employee, Rachel (Laura Ramsey), who meticulously follows the rules for granting visas, leaving Alejandro out in the cold. Bitter, Alejandro blames Rachel, who he complains 'wouldn't even look at him,' for all his troubles.

Rachel, who is about to accept a promotion to a position in London, is shocked when her colleagues throw her a going away party that night. With his career in the dumpster, Alejandro is relegated to playing in a mariachi band, and is shocked when he finds himself playing for Rachel at the going away party. Inspired by the chance meeting he decides he's been given a second chance to get his visa, so he concocts a complicated plan to gain Rachel's favor.

Although Alejandro's scheme is a bit over the top, he takes Rachel on such an enchanting ride that she can't help but rethink her feelings about Mexico and Alejandro. Although Rachel is rather naive for a diplomat, she is refreshingly honest and trusting which paints her as anything but a cold-hearted American. Strong performances by Jaime Camil, Laura Ramsey and Omar Shaparro brought this heart-warming romantic comedy to life and made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

A fun film!

[barbicane3333 · 7/10 · 14 October 2013]

I saw Pulling Strings today, knowing little about it and having seen no trailers. It sounded like something I'd enjoy, and I did. The male and female leads give pitch perfect performances; you'll know right away they are made for each other. The male lead (a single dad with an adorable young daughter) has a very funny sidekick - you'll love the sound effect his car makes. The female lead has a fun "buddy," too.

The story is set in Mexico City. It begins at the immigration window at the US Embassy and takes off from there. A missing laptop is a major plot point. Mariachi music is another. I loved the romantic elements in the movie and the comic elements made me laugh out loud many times. All of the characters are wonderful.

This is a great "date night" movie, but obviously, singles will like it, too. I had a ball. One more thing: Much of the dialogue is in Spanish with subtitles, but please, please, don't let that put you off. You'll have great fun watching Pulling Strings!

fun film hecho en Mexico

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 4 March 2017]

Fun. Alejandro, a Mexican citizen, applies for a travel visa to get his daughter to the US, but is denied by the consulate visa employee. Oddly enough, that same Mexican dude helps Rachel (Laura Ramsey), the consulate worker when she gets drunk and passes out in Mexico City. Alejandro (Jaime Camil) is caring for his daughter, and is missing some of the required documents for a travel visa, so that's not going well. His mariachi band performs at Rachel's company party. An odd juxtaposition. Some funny moments -- Alejandro's daughter says and does some pretty funny things. Tom Arnold and Stockard Channing are in here with supporting roles. Turns out that this is really a "caper", as Alejandro carts Rachel all over town trying to prove that he is worthy of a travel visa. One scene that was a little odd was when he buys her lunch, and she seems to be horrified at buying a tostada on the street; one would think that someone who lives and works in Mexico City would be pretty familiar with how things work there. You'll want the captions turned on, unless you are pretty fluent in Español, but its a fun tour of Mexico city. Some VERY beautiful songs performed by Jaime Camil... some done with the mariachi band, and some done solo, but just Beautiful ! According to IMDb, he began his career as a professional singer, releasing two music CDs, so that explains why his singing is so professional. A fun adventure, with some lessons learned along the way. Directed by Pedo Ibarra.

Dumb

[salsoulscomedy · 2/10 · 13 December 2013]

This movie is really dumb. It is your typical romantic comedy where you can tell everything that is going to happen long before it happens. There are good versions of those movies and bad versions depending on if there are any good twists and mostly if the comedy/performances are funny. The guy in this is awful. I assume the positive reviews here are by cast or crew because this movie is not very good at all. Maybe friends and family are posting good reviews to help out. The movie isn't worth seeing. Bad jokes, bad characters, bad writing. Nothing special about this film at all. The girl is all right but nobody has much to work with here. The lead guy like I said is super annoying but I'm not sure if it's the bad character or bad acting or both.

If Elvis Presley were a mariachi?

[toddeverett · 8/10 · 20 October 2013]

Looking to kill some time, I took a chance on this title. I'd heard nothing about it (and I follow movies more than most people do), but was drawn by -- of all things -- the presence of Tom Arnold in the cast. And I think Tom Arnold has a very likable screen presence.

Well, Tom Arnold is there, and his character possesses the qualities I enjoy; but he is not the reason to see "Pulling Strings." Rather enjoy it as a romantic comedy with a thriller element, filled with interesting characters and set in what is for most Americans an exotic, if relatable, setting. The leads and supporting characters are all attractive, amusing, or both. (To Yanks, the other familiar actor is Stockard Channing). It goes where you'd expect it to, but with some unexpected side trips.

The lead character's job as a mariachi is played up; he performs several songs throughout the picture, all part of the story-telling. I kept thinking of this as what a really nice Elvis Presley movie might have looked like.

If any of this or the other reviews sounds even remotely interesting, please give "Pulling Strings" a shot (or a stream). It's not going to change cinema, but I preferred to any number of other recent comedies. Now, I'm off to see if I can find any background on the producers

Beautiful love story!

[shamsee · 9/10 · 17 October 2013]

I am shocked at low rating on IMDb. I don't usually dish out high ratings easily so for me this was a winner hands down. I have been hoping to see a movie that is entertaining, sweet, romantic and fun, and this was all of that and more.

For anyone who is an immigrant to US the movie will bring back some memories. The moment of "Yay" vs. "Nay" when facing the immigration officer is stressful and memorable one for most. That however is just the premise to launch into some sweet and fun comedic adventure.

I wish there was more of a pleasant culture shock highlighted in the movie. Yeah the people were nice and Tostadas from a small stand were good, and common use of Mariachis was fun, but there could have been many more opportunities to endear the audience to best of Mexico's culture.

The way people interact there was captured beautifully. People were not as uptight and bit more warm and friendly. Friends would do anything for each other, and how with little that some have, how much more happy they can be with that than so many people who have lot more and aren't. None of this was specifically highlighted, but was there to see for anyone paying attention.

In the end movie is just an excuse for romantic, cute, comedic love story and it delivers completely satisfying and enjoyable experience.

The best moment for me was the senior couple sitting next to me in the movie theater. When in the end, the Hero is begging the girl for another chance, couple sitting next to me answered in unison with an emphatic "yes" with both hands extended towards the screen!

If this movie can't find a place in audiences hearts, then we have a problem....and it is not the movie!

Can't Believe The Low Ratings

[ztk-ztk1212 · 8/10 · 17 November 2013]

I'm going to keep this short, simple, and straight to the point.

This movie contains romance, comedy, characters you can relate to, and a well written story line. The dialogue is bilingual but no need to worry, the movie comes with subtitles and is well balanced between the 2 languages. It is by far one of the funniest movies I've seen in the past couple of years.

This is a romantic comedy, a genre that I don't generally like and one which I'm very picky and critical of. So for me to say that this movie is great means IT'S FREAKING GREAT! There NEEDS to be MORE movies like this!

Go watch it! I bet anything that you will be laughing throughout the whole movie.

You have 1 plan & life give you a different 1

[davemerino · 10/10 · 27 April 2019]

When a fork in the road sends you down a different path than the one you had planned, what will you do?

Whatever the shortcomings of the film may be, if you give it a chance you don't actually see them. This film in my opinion is masterpiece- 2 stories in 1. A good father that wants to be better. A budding love story in plain sight, but not seen by the two love birds.

Jaime Camil (Alejandro/the dad) is fantastic, and his singing is phenomenal, especially the song he sings to his daughter at her school. Laura Ramsey (Rachel), the embassy worker that is too "by the book" transforms from her cocoon into a butterfly seeing the city, the culture, the people for the 1st time, because of Alejandro. When you open your eyes you'd be amazed at what you will see. Omar Chaparo (Canicas) provides the comic relief needed and does it very well.

What brings them together is a laptop, but what unites them is something Rachel never had. Will she accept? Will she pick Mexico City or London?

I watched it 3 times & each time caught things I'd missed before.

Delightful but ore than anything enlightening

[chismeshop · 10/10 · 12 June 2014]

Spanish Bilinguals Only: Do you watch movies with subtitles on or off? I often watch movies that Hispanic Filmmakers make and force Luzette Portillo to watch them with me. Usually her choice is Horror films , foreign or domestic, but I love Romantic Comedies so I leave subtitles on so that she can keep up with the plot. It usually distracts me, because I want to read vs listen. So sometimes I feel like I lost something in the translation. Today I took the subtitles off and watched this film as it was recorded. I am so happy I did , because both languages were spoken. I could familiarize with the day to day chores and switching languages back and forth on a whim depending on the place, person or situation I find myself in. This really was a nice surprise. I felt very comfortable watching the film and wonder if Non- Spanish speakers would find it as funny as us who understand Spanish and English. Tom Arnold, Stockard Channing (Rizo, from GREASE) guest star in this hilarious comedy about a Mariachi man wanting to get a VISA to send his daughter to the U.S. It enlightens us who wonder why people take a chance and cut through the red tape of doing it legally. The movie doesn't focus too much on the immigration issue. That makes the film even more delightful to see that not all Mexicans want to be in the U.S. Mexico City does have a big population and they are not all climbing the wall to come here. Hope you take time to watch this movie. The happy ending is not what you would expect and romantic comedies tend to be predictable, this one is not!

This fine movie will pull at your heartstrings, making it sing.

[soumyadeepkoley · 9/10 · 12 September 2017]

Finely acted by Laura Ramsey and Jaime Camil, this is a fresh romance plot with apt twists and turns to keep you glued to the screen. Laura and Jaime have got a good chemistry in this movie. Soundtrack is lovely enough to resonate with your heart. Watch with a loved one for a warm start to an amorous night.

A VERY unlikely romance, that's for sure! Just be sure to watch it with someone you love.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 28 February 2017]

Would you like a nice date night flick? Look no further than "Pulling Strings"! It's sweet and clever and is a great prelude to a night of good lovin'!

Jaime Camil stars as Alejandro, a professional Mariachi singer living in Mexico City. He knows this isn't the best life, as he's also a widower trying to raise his young daughter, so he wants to visit family in the States and leave his daughter with them. However, his request for a VISA was denied by a US Embassy bureaucrat who barely gave him a chance.

A short time later, this same bureaucrat, Rachel (Laura Ramsey) has been promoted and her coworkers throw a big party for her...complete with a Mariachi band. Well, like you expect in a movie, Alejandro happens to be the singer and during the course of the evening, Rachel gets totally smashed. In fact, when Alejandro leaves the party to go home, he finds her asleep on a bench at a bus stop...definitely not a good idea anywhere but a horrible idea in Mexico City! Alejandro is a good guy and tries to help by calling her a cab. But she is so drunk, he can't even find out where she lives, so he brings her home. When she awakens, she is not surprisingly shocked to find herself in a strange man's apartment...she is also shocked to find that her boss' computer, which he gave her for safekeeping, is missing...and she had it with her at the bus stop! So nice-hearted Alejandro takes her across Mexico City looking for it....and the city is one of the biggest cities in the world! So what's to come of all this? See the film.

This is a highly unusual film because it's not so much a Mexican film with some Americans in it or vice-versa. It's more like an American cast and a Mexican cast being brought together for a movie....and it works very well. Plus, it gives you a nice look at the Mexicans in this mega-city...warts and all. Very sweet, very original and, at times, very romantic. Well worth your time.