From Prada to Nada (2011)

Touches You

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Two lovely girls but with very different personalities are left on the streets after their former millionaire father dies on his birthday. They find refuge in their distant aunt's house where their lives become as ordinary as everyone else's. Thankfully, the two girls aren't going to let fate take its course so they take different paths which maybe one day will lead them one again to happiness.A lovely story which describes how someone can adapt from a life of wealth to poverty and his struggle along the way. I really enjoyed the course of events and although some may consider them cliché, I have to say that it was a very nice story. Although it was a bit predictable, it created a semi-dramatic atmosphere which ultimately led to romance and joyousness. I also liked the actors who fit really well in the picture, almost like it was created for them. A very enjoyable watch.

I had anticipated a better story line but was sadly disappointed. I had difficulty figuring out when the climax would come - it never came. I can not find the connection to Jane Austen's literary work in no other way than by the fact that they lose it all when 'daddy' dies. The two main characters 'Beverly Hills' background is evidently inconsistent with their actions. For instance, no one goes to her brother's engagement party wearing such a cheap dress! And, for a go- getter, Mary falls way too short and ends up in a more than predictable car accident. The director and scriptwriter could have done much better. And, when you are a leader and are highly respected in your business, you do not go and buy a house in the ghetto. It's simply inconsistent with who the character is.

The first time watching this trailer 'Material Girls' came to mind. The trailer mirrored each element of drags from riches and I imagined how these girls would survive the former. I anticipated a change of cast to reform a theory that could be portrayed differently on screen. The trailer was misleading. The movie went beyond the Prada and you soon forget that they had nothing.Nora and Mary are sisters, quite different from each other. When the synopsis makes mention to two spoiled sisters, Nora seems far from that label. They were given everything they wanted, yet Nora chose to fight for what she believed in by becoming a lawyer. Mary became the stereotyped version of the spoiled and riches story. When she lost everything, she struggled to hold on to what was. It wasn't clearly mentioned, but Nora portrayed herself as the eldest and most ambitious.The film then crosses parallels by making references to Mexican culture and traditions as Mary tried to embrace that side of her culture. Nora focused on her fight. Camilla Belle played Nora as a strong focused young woman that faced her problems. Her sometimes expressionless moments and subtle gestures set her apart from her sister. At certain points there was difficulty connecting these two girls as sisters because of their differences, but they still found ways to connect.Time overlapped frequently and the pace was barely one you could keep up with. The emotions did not match up evenly. The audience would be disconnected from the romance this film tried to capture. Mary's obsession to leave her new home drove her to an overambitious TA who took advantage of her desperation. It would have been a solid had this TA been reprimanded for taking Mary for granted. Having his wife leave him in that final scene before Mary's accident would have been the cherry on top. Alas Mary and Nora found happiness, but the main theme was lost. What was truly gained in the end? Was Nora ever successful with her own law practice? Was love the original plan this film set out to achieve in the end? What was in those letters for their step brother? While this film did achieve a solid theme and overall solid storytelling, I had hoped for more. It however left some unanswered questions behind.

I rarely come on IMDb to review movies but after watching this and seeing the poor ratings for this film, I just had to say something. Like the previous reviewer has said, don't let the ratings fool you, if you know what this film is about and do plan on seeing this then except nothing more than a great watch from beginning to end.The film takes on the subject of spoiled girls living in wealthy-LA and then losing it all and going to live with their relatives on the less "fortunate" side. The Mexican stereotype is kind of overly used, but you start to see they are just a friendly normal neighborhood.The actors played their parts wonderfully, my personal favorite Camilla Belle did superb. This film inst recommended for everyone but I know most will love it by the time they reach the credits.