2025 Show
Mexico · Spanish
Likable characters liven up an otherwise standard will-they-won't-they romcom series
There are few surprises to be had in The Manny, and its more dramatic moments feel more like obligatory interruptions to its romcom formula rather than elements to organically ground the story in something more substantial. Still, the characters are charming because of how imperfect they are: the kids are naive but well-meaning and sweet; while the adults don’t always give advice that works, caught up in their own grown-up problems. So even if the show sort of rushes into its found family set-up, easygoing chemistry between the actors makes it easy to believe that these people would still listen to each other with respect despite any differences in background.
A busy executive hires a rancher to care for her kids in a moment of panic. Little does she know he'll challenge her views of gender roles — and of love.
A mother raising her children on her own and trying to climb the corporate ladder hires a male nanny whom she doesn't know has ulterior motives against her company.
In these first two episodes watched for this review, Gaby's (the "manny") concerns over his father's ranch being threatened by Jimena's company aren't explored nearly as much as they probably should be. So the subplot that ends up becoming the most interesting to follow is, funnily enough, the relationship between Jimena's daughter Sofi and older son Santi, as they set aside their differences and try to help Santi get a date with his crush. The kids in these types of shows normally end up being purely ornamental, so it's nice to see the young ones get something a little weightier to work with for once.
Cowboy hats are in again this year, I will not take any questions.
Emil Hofileña is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. He also writes as a theater critic, with work published in Rogue and Out of Print, among others. He’s probably crying over a movie or an episode as we speak.
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