Casa de mi Padre

[source] https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/movies/will-ferrell-in-casa-de-mi-padre.html

This movie is an absolute must see! Will Ferrels performance is singular. Will plays the character of Armando Alverez.

This film is set in Mexico on a Ranch/Hacienda. Armando is one of two sons of a single father. As it turns out Armando’s mother died during his childbirth. This is something that Armando’s father blames him for and resents him through out the film. His father says very insulting things to him through out the film about his intelligence and bad looks, he tells him that he resents him being born. This Armando seems to take in stride and continues living as though it had not been said which is part of the film’s hilarity.

Armando’s brother is a Narco and is his father’s pride and joy, but ends up getting the family into some serious trouble when he moves in on another Cartel’s territory.

With out giving too much of the plot away suffice it to say that this is one of the most entertaining and funny comedies that I have ever seen. Part of the hilarity of this film is that Will Ferrel plays a Mexican in it. Given the fact that he is so white and strange looking compared to those who are given to be his family members it is really funny. I do realize that there are light skinned Mexicans, but it’s just really funny in the context of the film. Additionally, Will Ferrel’s lines in the entire film are in Spanish! And he does a fantastic job! Way to go Will Ferrel. He is a genius. Also there are some great fighting scenes with ridiculous special affects, and a scene with a very obviously fake Jaguar.

[source] https://theartsdesk.com/film/casa-de-mi-padre

The gun fight towards the end is perhaps my favorite scene of all time with dramatic deaths that combine some intelligent cultural contexts as well.

All-in-all this makes my list of top 10 comedies of all time. For that reason I have probably seen it over 10 times because when I introduce it to a friend that has never seen it, of course I must watch it with them. Whats better than watching the film is watching your friends reaction to the film and sharing in a moment of authentic laughter together.