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‘Instructions Not Included’: A blueprint for box office success?

Marketplace Contributor Sep 3, 2013
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‘Instructions Not Included’: A blueprint for box office success?

Marketplace Contributor Sep 3, 2013
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The big box office news this weekend wasn’t all about number one — or even number two. We’re gonna go down to number five: A Spanish-language movie titled “Instructions Not Included.”

It was neck-and-neck with, for one, the latest Disney offering “Planes,” that was being shown in 10 times as many theaters. And along the way it became the biggest Spanish-language opening movie ever.

The early success of the movie owes a lot to its star and director, Eugenio Derbez, who is already a big television star in Mexico.

“Derbez is probably Mexico’s best comedian right now,” says Gustavo Arellano, editor of the OC Weekly. “This is a real talent, so it’s great to see the movie be a success, as small as it may be.”

Hollywood very rarely strikes gold with the Latino market, argues Arellano.

“It’s like every 15 years Hollywood gets it right,” he says.

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