Saagar Kote
Directed by Felipe Joffily, Netflix’s romantic comedy film ‘Almost Family’ tells the heartwarming and humorous story of Mariana, a Brazilian bar owner’s daughter, and Miguel, an Argentinian musician. The two meet and fall in love while studying music in Paris. The narrative unfolds as Mariana invites her eccentric Brazilian father and the rest of her family to Bariloche, Argentina, to meet Miguel’s family. This cultural clash leads to a hilarious exploration of familial bonds, misunderstandings, and love, as the couple finds themselves navigating the eccentricities of both families. Originally titled ‘Família, Pero No Mucho,’ the family movie ultimately offers a comforting tale of human connection, looking into the truth of relationships between different individuals and cultures.
Almost Family Explores the Brazilian-Argentinian Cultural Disparity With Humor
One of the most hilarious parts of ‘Almost Family’ is the cultural clash between Otávio, the Brazilian, and Héctor, the Argentinian. The two fathers initially find it difficult to appreciate anything about each other or their cultures. The rivalry between Argentina and Brazil in the real world, especially centered around the rich culture of football in both countries, is depicted in increasingly funny ways throughout the narrative. Otávio is a middle-class Brazilian man who is proud of his culture, but having to bond with a rich Argentinian man who could become his daughter’s father-in-law throws him off balance.
The visit to Argentina leads him to constantly claim how Brazil is superior to Argentina in terms of food, drink, and football. This drives the film closer to reality, as cross-cultural bonding and communication still remain a challenge in the world, especially between cultures that have an established rivalry within a geographical region. Otávio finds it difficult to adjust to Argentinian food and claims that Brazilian cachaça is far superior to the wine in Argentina, leading to a hilarious verbal battle between him and Héctor. Comparisons are also made between Messi, Maradona, and Pelé, the legendary footballers of Argentina and Brazil.
Otávio tries to impose his strong Brazilian views, which are countered by the equally strong views of Héctor. In reality, sport and food are strong enough reasons for people from two different cultures to have a disagreement or even a small fight. However, despite the cultural differences, Otávio and Héctor are able to appreciate each other and become friends. In the real world, we see examples of friendships that go beyond borders and cultures, which is reflected by the unlikely bonding between the two dads in the film, who defy cultural limitations and bring more realism and humanity to the narrative.
Almost Family Delves Into the Complexities of the Father-Daughter Relationship
The emotional core of the film is captured poignantly by the writers Leandro Soares and Lucas Blanco. The complexities of the father-daughter relationship are navigated in creative ways as ‘Almost Family’ meaningfully reflects on the insecurities of protective fathers, especially when it comes to their daughters getting married to someone from a different culture. Mariana’s love for Miguel is genuine, but the fact that Otávio doesn’t know anything about his daughter’s lover makes him insecure, leading him towards chaos and mistrust.
In reality, there are several cases of fathers doing everything they can to “protect” their daughters, but taking the idea to a level where it becomes obsessive leads to rifts in the relationship. In the storyline, Otávio at first tries to stop his daughter from pursuing an education in Paris, showcasing his fear of distance from his daughter, especially since his first wife passed. This represents the reality of the world, where moving to a foreign country can lead to significant challenges to familial bonds. The story also looks at Otávio as a man who simply wants his daughter to be safe and happy, and doesn’t label him as “old-school” or “traditional,’ despite his chaotic behavior at times, which leads to hilarious moments in the storyline.
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