Saagar Kote
Directed by Mehdi Avaz, Netflix’s ‘Mango’ is a Danish-Spanish romantic comedy film that narrates the story of Lærke, a corporate representative and a hotel manager. She is sent by her Danish company to Málaga in Spain to persuade Alex to sell his mango farm, so that the company she represents can build a hotel on the land. Finding herself on an unexpected journey, she is also joined by her daughter Agnes on the business trip to Spain.
When Lærke meets Alex, the two develop inexplicable feelings for each other, which causes chaos. Soon, she finds herself trapped between professional obligations and her own feelings. As the two adults grow closer to each other, they may have to make tough decisions in order to find some meaning in their lives. The narrative poignantly delves into ideas of family, friendship, and love, while also incorporating humor. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Mango is a Tale of Love in the Shadow of Corporate Interests
‘Mango,’ although a fictional story, contains a grounded portrayal of love and life. Written by Milad Schwartz Avaz, Karina Dam, and Renée Simonsen, it reflects the reality of human connection. One of the core issues the narrative deals with is the complexity of love in the shadow of the corporate world. Lærke is sent to Spain by Weltzer, a powerful hotel chain, to negotiate with Alex, who owns a mango farm in the picturesque region of Málaga. What begins as a business deal for Lærke soon becomes a complicated story of love. While Lærke’s company expects her to carry out the business deal without any remorse, she finds it difficult to balance her feelings of love towards Alex with her professional responsibilities.
On a spiritual level, the film shares similarities with films like ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, ‘You’ve Got Mail’, and ‘Jerry Maguire’, where love becomes entangled in a world of professional-business responsibilities. Whether or not love can overcome the barriers faced by corporate structures is the central idea of the film. The narrative also comments on the nature of corporate ambitions and how they can target vulnerable businesses. In the film, Alex’s financial desperation becomes a point of weakness, which leads to him being targeted by Weltzer. The tactic of corporate takeover and domination is at the heart of the film. The larger point here is the conflict between materialism and emotional value.
The corporate house only looks at Alex’s mango farm from the angle of profit, but Alex considers the emotional value of the farm and how it provides a sense of community to the local workers, creating a family-like environment. In this context, the film reflects a reality where certain elements cannot be quantified or measured solely by financial value. Thus, ‘Mango’ is a fictional tale that sensitively represents the nature of love in a materialistic world.
The Fictional Narrative Explores the Mango Farming Industry in Málaga
‘Mango’ chronicles the realities of the mango farming industry in the region of Málaga in Spain. The farm, the labor community, the local interests, and the culture of the industry in Málaga play a significant role in the narrative. The troubles faced by local businesses, especially when targeted by larger corporate entities, are illustrated through Alex’s experiences. In reality, according to a 2025 report, Málaga’s mango harvests are down significantly due to adverse weather and drought. In 2024, Spain yielded only 20,000 tons, far below its potential 60,000 tons. However, 2025 appears to be a promising year for mango farmers, as mango production in the country is expected to recover, with an estimate of up to 35,000 tons.
After a nearly five-year drought, including two forgettable years, the mango industry in Malaga’s Axarquía and Granada’s Costa Tropical is thriving again, thanks to significant rainfall. This reality of financial difficulties in Spain’s mango farming industry is brought to light by the narrative. The uncertainties involved in the business and the kind of struggles that the locals have to go through are represented by Alex. When Lærke goes to the region, she perceives it as a simple farming region, but fails to understand the power of community and the culture of farming. Ultimately, ‘Mango’ is a fictional story that portrays tender realities of human nature and the farming world in a heartwarming manner.
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