The storyline follows Ignacio (Kian Miranda-Rodriguez) who is Hispanic but struggles with speaking Spanish. He wants to try out for soccer, but his best friend Marissa (Sierra Mayoral) doesn't like the idea. She wants Ignacio to prioritize learning Spanish and connecting with his culture. This leads to arguments and, eventually, Ignacio finds out what matters most to him.
This film is perfect for high school students that are navigating through finding themselves. I like that the storyline is about self-discovery and heritage. Heritage is really important in understanding where your family came from, and it helps define who you are. Not a lot of people talk about the struggle behind fitting into your culture, so I appreciate this film having a breakthrough written in. The cinematography is interesting. At some points, there are unique angles that emphasize the actor's facial expressions, like during the golden hour shot. However, at other times, the camera angles don't work so well. For instance, when Marissa and Ignacio are sitting on the grass, the tip of Marissa's head is cut-off, and that looks awkward.
The locations suit the story - the soccer field is accurate, the locations inside the school. I really like the set decorations at the location where the Mecha meeting is held. It has papel picado, Mexican paper decorations with intricate details. There is classical music in some scenes that help set the tone and mood. For instance, when Ignacio is alone, the piano seems soft and sad.
Ignacio grows from the beginning of the film to the end. He discovers who he truly is and decides what to prioritize. It's a huge character development. Marissa is annoyed at Ignacio and gets angry when he wants to choose soccer over Mecha. In the end, they forgive each other. I applaud the directors, Ryan Rivera and Yasmine Tohme, for collaborating on a project that holds a deep message.
My favorite part of the film is the lighting during the scene where Ignacio is looking at clothing. It appears to be filmed during the golden hour, and I love how it looks. It adds depth to the scene since he is alone and gentle music plays in the background.
The film's message is about self-discovery. Ignacio wants to try out for soccer for acceptance and bonding with his peers, but would be missing his chance to connect to his Hispanic roots. He finds out what defines who he is. Note that it contains some profanity. There is the use of curse words that occurs when Ignacio and Marissa are talking.
I give Those Who Don't 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults
The storyline follows Ignacio (Kian Miranda-Rodriguez) who is Hispanic but struggles with speaking Spanish. He wants to try out for soccer, but his best friend Marissa (Sierra Mayoral) doesn't like the idea. She wants Ignacio to prioritize learning Spanish and connecting with his culture. This leads to arguments and, eventually, Ignacio finds out what matters most to him.
This film is perfect for high school students that are navigating through finding themselves. I like that the storyline is about self-discovery and heritage. Heritage is really important in understanding where your family came from, and it helps define who you are. Not a lot of people talk about the struggle behind fitting into your culture, so I appreciate this film having a breakthrough written in. The cinematography is interesting. At some points, there are unique angles that emphasize the actor's facial expressions, like during the golden hour shot. However, at other times, the camera angles don't work so well. For instance, when Marissa and Ignacio are sitting on the grass, the tip of Marissa's head is cut-off, and that looks awkward.
The locations suit the story - the soccer field is accurate, the locations inside the school. I really like the set decorations at the location where the Mecha meeting is held. It has papel picado, Mexican paper decorations with intricate details. There is classical music in some scenes that help set the tone and mood. For instance, when Ignacio is alone, the piano seems soft and sad.
Ignacio grows from the beginning of the film to the end. He discovers who he truly is and decides what to prioritize. It's a huge character development. Marissa is annoyed at Ignacio and gets angry when he wants to choose soccer over Mecha. In the end, they forgive each other. I applaud the directors, Ryan Rivera and Yasmine Tohme, for collaborating on a project that holds a deep message.
My favorite part of the film is the lighting during the scene where Ignacio is looking at clothing. It appears to be filmed during the golden hour, and I love how it looks. It adds depth to the scene since he is alone and gentle music plays in the background.
The film's message is about self-discovery. Ignacio wants to try out for soccer for acceptance and bonding with his peers, but would be missing his chance to connect to his Hispanic roots. He finds out what defines who he is. Note that it contains some profanity. There is the use of curse words that occurs when Ignacio and Marissa are talking.
I give Those Who Don't 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults
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