Carmen Machi
Teresa
Overview
The residents of an isolated town look to revive their home's identity when a group of foreigners unexpectedly arrive, bringing culture shock with them.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Town That Laughed to Keep from Dying
I’ve seen this story before—the dying town, the ragtag group of misfits, the last-ditch effort to stave off oblivion. It’s a setup that’s been played for pathos (The Last Picture Show), for whimsy (Local Hero), even for horror (The Wicker Man). But A Remarkable Tale, Marina Seresesky’s 2019 comedy, doesn’t seem interested in reinventing the wheel so much as giving it a good, hard spin and seeing where it lands.
What’s remarkable, in the end, isn’t the tale itself but the way Seresesky lets the absurdity of survival collide with the quiet dignity of people who refuse to be erased.
The film opens in a town so forgotten it might as well be a mirage. The specifics of its decline are left vague—economic collapse, rural flight, the slow rot of neglect—but the details don’t matter. What matters is the way the camera lingers on the cracks in the walls, the peeling paint, the empty storefronts with their sad, sun-bleached signs.
This isn’t a place that’s given up, exactly. It’s a place that’s been left behind, and the difference is crucial. The residents aren’t defeated; they’re just waiting for a reason to keep going.
And then, like a gift from the gods of farce, a group of foreigners arrives.
Seresesky’s filmography suggests she has a knack for finding humor in the margins, and here she does it again, though with a lighter touch than her earlier work. The Open Door (2016) was a darkly comedic exploration of immigration and identity, but A Remarkable Tale feels more like a fable, a story where the stakes are high but the tone is breezy, almost buoyant. That buoyancy is key. The film could have easily tipped into mawkishness or cynicism, but Seresesky keeps the balance just right, letting the absurdity of the situation—these people, clinging to their town like it’s a life raft—carry the emotional weight.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.0/10
"A mixed-reception comedy with heartfelt themes and uneven execution: praised for its cast and social commentary, criticized for pacing and tonal inconsistencies."
A Remarkable Tale (2019), directed by Marina Seresesky, is a comedy set in a dying Spanish town whose residents resort to desperate measures after a group of foreigners arrives. Starring Carmen Machi, Pepón Nieto, and Kiti Mánver, among others, it deals with cultural clash, immigration, and community revival. Reactions are divided. Fans enjoy the humor and the ensemble, especially the comedic timing of Machi and La Terremoto de Alcorcón, and read the premise—a town revived by unexpected diversity—as lighthearted but meaningful commentary on modern society. Detractors call the plot predictable or tonally inconsistent and the messaging heavy-handed; one IMDb review calls it "somniferous" and says it follows a formulaic Netflix script. Kinopoisk reactions split the same way, between warmth and charm and forgettable simplicity. A Kinopoisk score of 0 from 32 votes and an IMDb rating of 5.4 reflect the polarized reception. It suits fans of character-driven comedies with social undertones, provided you don't expect much depth or originality.
What viewers praise
- Strong ensemble performances Carmen Machi and La Terremoto de Alcorcón are consistently praised for comedic and emotional performances that elevate the material, and the cast’s chemistry is a frequent highlight.
- Heartfelt themes Immigration, cultural integration, and community revival are tackled through a comedic lens, and some call it a "feel-good" story with a meaningful message.
- Lighthearted humor Despite heavy themes, the comedic tone suits fans of quirky, character-driven humor, and the absurdity of the town’s desperate measures is a reliable source of laughs.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The structure is formulaic—one IMDb review says it was "written according to Netflix’s dictation"—and the resolution is called overly simplistic or clichéd.
- Tonal inconsistencies The balance between comedy and drama is uneven, producing moments that feel jarring or out of place.
- Pacing issues The slow build-up and lack of momentum get it called "somniferous" or dull in parts, with the middle act dragging most.
- Heavy-handed messaging The social commentary is too overt, bordering on preachy; some Kinopoisk reactions call it "obvious" or lacking subtlety.
Recommended for
Fans of character-driven comedies with social themes Fans of ensemble casts and quirky humor Anyone looking for a lighthearted film with a meaningful message Those interested in stories about cultural integration and community revival
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of A Remarkable Tale: Marina Seresesky’s Comedy with Heart
A Remarkable Tale (2019), directed by Argentine-Spanish filmmaker Marina Seresesky, is a comedy that blends humor with social commentary—a signature of Seresesky’s work. latestnetflix.com's view is that while details about the film’s production remain scarce, the project stands out for its eclectic cast and the director’s knack for turning everyday struggles into laugh-out-loud moments.
A Cast of Unlikely Stars
The film boasts a mix of veteran and rising talent, including Carmen Machi (The Open Door, Ocho Apellidos Vascos), Pepón Nieto (Locked Up), and Kiti Mánver (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). Also in the mix: Jon Kortajarena, the Spanish model-turned-actor known for The Night Manager, and La Terremoto de Alcorcón, a flamboyant drag performer who adds a splash of camp to the ensemble.
This diverse lineup suggests Seresesky’s ability to balance dramatic weight with comedic timing, a skill she honed in her earlier films like The Open Door (2016) and Let the Dance Begin. While the exact dynamic between the cast isn’t detailed in available sources, their collective experience in Spanish comedy and drama hints at a lively on-set atmosphere.
Seresesky’s Signature Style
Marina Seresesky is known for films that tackle social issues with wit and warmth. A Remarkable Tale appears to follow this tradition, though specifics about its plot or themes remain under wraps in the retrieved evidence. Her previous work, The Open Door, a dramedy about a brothel run by a retired sex worker, earned critical praise for its blend of humor and pathos. If A Remarkable Tale follows suit, it likely balances quirky characters with sharp observations about modern life.
The film’s runtime—93 minutes—aligns with Seresesky’s preference for tight, engaging storytelling. However, without deeper production details, it’s unclear whether the shoot faced challenges or if the director’s collaborative approach (as seen in her earlier projects) shaped the final product.
What We Know (and What We Don’t)
- Confirmed: The film is a Spanish comedy directed by Seresesky, starring Carmen Machi, Pepón Nieto, and Kiti Mánver. - Rumor/Unconfirmed: No behind-the-scenes anecdotes, budget details, or critical reception snippets are available in the retrieved evidence. While Seresesky’s films often premiere at festivals, there’s no mention of A Remarkable Tale’s festival run or awards buzz. - Missing Pieces: Plot summaries, on-set stories, and audience reactions are notably absent from the available snippets. The film’s reception on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes isn’t detailed beyond its cast listing.
Why It Matters
A Remarkable Tale may not have the blockbuster hype of other Spanish comedies, but it’s a key entry in Seresesky’s filmography—a director who consistently finds humor in human resilience. For fans of her work, the film likely delivers the same mix of laughter and heart that defined The Open Door. For newcomers, it’s a chance to see a director at the height of her creative powers, working with a cast that spans generations and genres.
Until more details emerge, A Remarkable Tale remains a tantalizing footnote in Seresesky’s career—proof that even in an era of big-budget spectacles, a small comedy with a stellar ensemble can still leave a mark.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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