18 Presents (2020) User Reviews

Wonderful movie

[ismystore · 8/10 · 9 May 2020]

I don't expect this kind of story at all. I have turn this movie on and I was working on my computer, I expect to be a boring movie, but it was not the case. and i have closed the computer and watched the whole movie. there is too bad that is not have more to the story, i know it's based on a true story but even so I would like to see more. about the casting, everyone is amazing Every one of them.

A Fantastic Drama

[BerkayKuscu · 7/10 · 3 September 2020]

I started watching this movie only because I am learning Italian and this is one of the very few Italian movies on Netflix (in Turkey). I did not have any expectations and I only knew Benedetta Porcaroli from Baby series. The first half an hour, it was quite boring and I had to give it a break. But when I turned it on again, the rest was completely a fantastic drama...

I watched it crying multiple times, smiling like a silly in some moments, with a curiosity for the last gift, and it was completely worth to wait. Learning that it is inspired from a truestory that is also referenced in the movie, I couldn't keep myself from crying one more time. Nothing extraordinary but a great drama.

Relive in 1, 2, 3 ..

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 19 August 2020]

Do we take too much time to reflect or even overthink not just our existence but the way we live and what we do? What could have been and how life has treated us unfairly ... so unfairly. All that time that we could have used actually living, wasted on complaining, being bitter and just not appreciating life for what it is.

Now you could call a person that is being bitter a spoiled brat. Or you could try to understand or find out why that is. In this case the "nutcase" (bitter person) gets a reality check ... and an awakening. No pun intended, but after the inciting incident ... things are not the same. Actually the main character does a journey. Now is it fantasy, did it really happen, what could have made this happen? If it did how, if it didn't .. again how would she make this up? But these are things that are almost nonconsequential! More important is to understand the message ... and embrace it.

The actors are doing a phenomenal job. Nothing comes easy, no revelation is just there for the picking. It has to be earned. And it does - fantastical and interesting to say the least if you can bend your mind around it

A nice story but...

[paolino-itausa · 6/10 · 23 January 2020]

I was looking for something strong, original, touching and realistic. The story, inspired by true events, is definitely unique and in some way realistic, but in my opinion the acting is poor and too "theatrical" like in almost every italian movie, reason why it did not reach me any deeper. In the end it I think it is worth watching it but without many expectations.

Fairly Creative Story Executed Fairly Well

[iquine · 7/10 · 3 February 2021]

(Flash Review)

One could easily assume this would be a sentimental tearjerker but it thankfully wasn't. It took a different approach and could have been really good if I had been more emotionally involved with the characters but they weren't super sympathetic aside from a couple moments. The film revolves around an expecting couple in the midst of a foreseeable tragedy as the mother has a grave illness. Mother and daughter's lives pass only briefly but thankfully mother prepared...you guessed it...18 presents for each of her future birthday that she will miss. On her 18th birthday and in a fit of misguided sorrow, the daughter runs away get hits by a car and the driver is her...her mother....WTF? Que creative timeframe shift. Since she has nowhere to stay in this alternative world, she concocts a story so she can live with her parents from 18 years earlier. Her mother seems like a stick in the mud. Maybe her daughter will be able to bring some of her adventurous spirit to her mother. Watch this interesting scenario play out. The core question is will they learn who they each truly are?

For the misunderstood youth

[gel2020 · 7/10 · 25 October 2021]

I remember my rebel days when i watched this kind of genre. Considering that these were a true story. Sometimes it helps to know a person's past in order to understand the present. A very supportive family and friends would be a bonus factor.

Very beautiful and loving movie

[roseliya · 10/10 · 12 May 2020]

A very loving look at the pain of not growing up with a mother. Creative story telling of how the daughter heals that wound.

I cried so much watching this movie

[zhangsiyi-59362 · 9/10 · 11 May 2020]

I watched together with my husband,and we are getting ready for pregnancy,so it was so easy to relate.No matter the casting or the performance,it is definitely a wonderful movie.Although it is a sad movie,but it brings the deepest emotions out of you and make you appreciate more about the love we have,family, partner,friends,parents.

Magical realism

[deborah-99172 · 10/10 · 23 May 2020]

I loved the writing and story of this movie. Things begin one way but take an unexpected turn. Time twists. Wounds heal. Recommend highly.

Weak story

[fabianacantinelli · 3/10 · 14 May 2020]

Honestly this movie is a waste of time. Totally nonsense

This movie amazed me

[sabycute · 9/10 · 10 May 2020]

I was hesitating watching this movie... I watched it in italian but omg this movie brings so much emotion, At the beginning it started abit boring but then later on in the movie you will be balling your eyes like I did. It is a sad movie. I enjoyed it.

Crying

[jordanriverking · 9/10 · 15 May 2020]

Like other posts, the beginning was abit of a drag and I was tempted to change it but too lazy to get the remote so I left it playing...so glad I did! This movie had me ugly crying...the moments she missed out on. As someone who missed out on growing up with a parent, it did resonate with me. Lovely movie.

A beautiful movie

[dulesd · 10/10 · 24 May 2020]

A movie with soul, heart and emotions. It has everything a great movie should have, in the best tradition of Italian film.

Very overvalued.

[pedromoutinho2610 · 3/10 · 17 May 2020]

One of the biggest disappointments that I had to see a film, it seemed that it was going to be and ... pure disappointment, there is nothing that stands out, nothing at all.

touching and emotional movie

[leiadanielle · 9/10 · 21 May 2020]

It was a definite tearjerker; however, I do admit that I was bawling my eyes out by the end. This movie was amazing and has you appreciating your family and friends even more. It was very touching and emotional. It makes you think about the importance a mother's role is in a child's life.

Worth watching

[rozzanabf · 10/10 · 18 May 2020]

Lovely story, worth watching. Good cast. Made me cry. 100% recomendada !!!

Wonderful, heartfelt, film

[msdsc · 9/10 · 23 January 2022]

I would have given this a 10 but it wasn't quite perfect. It was, however, a glorious, emotionally wonderful, film. It reminded me of The Night of the Shooting Stars, in a way. It struck me deeply in how loving and tender it, and everyone in it, was. The pure sensuality of the Italian culture pervaded it all.

Misleading Title

[yeah1980 · 9/10 · 25 July 2021]

I wasn't expecting THIS.

The title is a bit misleading... ok, there are presents, but the story has a twist in the very beginning and it evolves around that.

I loved the acting, it feels so natural and true.

And I think the idea is original too, or at least I never met this kind of story before.

I expected some more classic sap story, I got some "back to the future"-ish vibes.

I am sorry I waited for so long before giving this movie a chance, and I am proud this is an Italian production.

Why is it so underrated??

[dn-81367 · 10/10 · 14 August 2021]

Everything in this film was so stunning! The characters didnt have to cry or act miserably asking for sympathy. It seems to me that this movie is best to watch at 3 to 4am when we feel most calm and need something tranquil yet exquisite to engulf in.

The best Drama Film of 2020 so far

[JohnPapanikolaou · 9/10 · 21 October 2020]

18 Presents is another proof that the Netflix has the ability to create fantastic movies of any kind. I can give it the title as the best drama film of 2020 so far and what makes it even more interesting is that it is inspired by true events.The movie is very emotional and makes you think about the importance a mother's role is in a child's life.Another advantage is that the movie has good acting from the smallest to the biggest role.

Worth watching

[queenstefi · 8/10 · 25 July 2020]

As I started watching this film I thought this is implausible, however as the story developed I found myself being drawn into this very beautiful and deep story about the mother/daughter relationship. Needless to say I was bawling by the end.

Touching but in a positive way

[eleni5 · 8/10 · 17 September 2020]

I liked the movie a lot, it would be something I would do if I knew I would die.i like the way the story unfolds and a bit of a flashback. The things that the way they made it it was different than other movies, it did not bring you too much sadness.

Cried so hard

[bid-70328 · 10/10 · 11 September 2021]

I cried almost whole movie, the way that two actress acted were so amazing. I felt the pain, the happiness, the sadness, the anger.... My eyes are in pain now.

Wonderful

[pjmanya · 8/10 · 28 January 2021]

Such a beautiful and emotional. Must watch especially for all mothers and daughters.

Understanding the heartfelt efforts behind the scenes can help foster empathy.

[noshouse · 10/10 · 1 September 2023]

I was deeply, deeply moved by how the director and screenwriter portrayed the reasons behind gift-giving in such detail. I truly empathized and shed tears. Unlike "P. S. I Love You," "18 Presents" has the daughter accompanying her mother personally to prepare birthday gifts for her unborn daughter, all while dealing with the ups and downs of life and getting along like friends. As a father myself, every scene hit close to home. We, as parents, really hope to provide some inspiration to our children through loving care, but the truth is, we are not the ones receiving the gifts, and bridging the gap between the intent of giving and the experience of receiving is not easy. I highly encourage everyone to watch this film. Understanding the heartfelt efforts behind the scenes can help foster empathy.