Netflix’s The (Almost) Legends follows two estranged half-brothers as they try to honor their late father’s memory and legacy, together.
Story
Valentín is a local town legend for appearing on a TV show as part of his banda music band. He also has another passion, which is cars and he has a mechanic workshop where he also works on a car he dreams of winning the Rally de La Bestia with.
He has two wives and one son from each of them, and none of the two families know about the other one. When his second wife Silvia dies, her son Preciado comes to live with Raquel and her son Romeo, who hates him.
The two brothers become more and more estranged and when Valentín dies of an accident, Romeo departs for Mexico City to become a villain in the telenovelas. Preciado is kicked out by Raquel and goes to live with Grandmother Connie at the workshop.
He also starts working on music, even though he’s only good at playing the accordion and not singing or songwriting. Romeo eventually returns and announces his participation in the Rally to honor his father’s memory, while he actually only needs the money to pay back his loans.
He also tries to sell the workshop to his father’s enemy Don Tasio, but later backs out after seeing his old grandmother working so hard as a mechanic. He then goes to get his father’s car that his uncle still has with him.
The brothers take the car and finally take part in the race. They lose the rally but grow closer than ever before, strengthening their brotherly bond and performing with the band together, ultimately signing a deal with a label that helps Romeo with his debt while Preciado turns the workshop into a business.
Performances
Benny Emmanuel plays Romeo with a certain magnetism about him, even as he plays a character that’s very fidgety and boastful while hiding away his vulnerabilities that become obvious over his face.
Harold Azuara is hilarious as Preciado and brings an innocent flair that’s necessary for his character.
Ana Celeste arguably is the face that outshines even the central protagonists. She has wit, rawness, and attractive energy that pulls in not only Romeo but also the viewer’s attention. She is very expressive and even animated at certain points, and yet she never resorts to a caricature.
Positives
The (Almost) Legends is a burst of colors with nearly every frame. The color palette used is also really vibrant and lends a jubilant vibe to the movie, matching the upbeat, comical tone that it’s going for.
Although a comedy, the movie is also rife with heartwarming moments. The characters and the story at the center of it is wholesome and rich in heart.
Negatives
The film runs a bit too long with a two-hour runtime when it could have easily been confined to 90 minutes or less.
Much of this bloated runtime is owed to the parts belonging to other side characters like Mocorita, Cosme, and Marén, who despite being such a great character, is not fleshed out properly, nor is given a proper ending.
Verdict
Bar a longer than necessary runtime and other minor issues with the writing, The (Almost) Legends manages to delight and tickle with a jolly good time. From the colorful cinematography to the colorful characters, the film packs a lot of hearts and vibrant energy in its narrative.
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