Despite Everything

Netflix’s "Despite Everything" Serves Up a Sizzling Spanish Comedy with Star Power

Gabriela Tagliavini’s Despite Everything (2019) is a frothy, female-driven comedy that blends family drama with a dash of scandal—perfect for fans of messy, heartfelt chaos. The Netflix original, originally titled A Pesar de Todo, follows four estranged sisters who reunite after their mother’s death, only to discover a bombshell that sends them on a wild road trip across Spain. With a cast stacked with some of Spain’s most beloved actresses, the film promises laughs, tears, latestnetflix.com argues, and a healthy dose of sibling rivalry.

A Director with a Knack for Commercial Hits

Tagliavini, an Argentine filmmaker with a track record of box-office success in Mexico and beyond, brings her signature blend of humor and heart to Despite Everything. According to sources, she’s directed nine feature films that have earned both critical acclaim and commercial appeal. While the movie’s runtime clocks in at a brisk 78 minutes, it packs in enough twists and turns to keep audiences hooked. The film’s genre is straightforward: comedy, though its emotional core elevates it beyond mere farce.

The Cast: A Who’s Who of Spanish Talent

The ensemble cast reads like a who’s who of Spanish cinema and TV. Blanca Suárez (The Skin I Live In), Macarena García (Snow White), Amaia Salamanca (Grand Hotel), and Belén Cuesta (Paquita Salas) lead the charge as the four sisters, each bringing their own brand of charm and chaos. The supporting cast—including Maxi Iglesias, Juan Diego, and Carlos Bardem—adds depth, with veteran actors like Emilio Gutiérrez Caba and Tito Valverde rounding out the family dynamic.

Trailers for the film tease a mix of slapstick humor and poignant moments, suggesting the sisters’ journey won’t be all laughs. Netflix’s marketing leaned heavily on the star power of the cast, with two official trailers dropping to build hype. The film’s premise—a family secret forcing siblings back together—is a tried-and-true formula, but the chemistry among the leads could be the secret sauce.

Mixed Reception and Festival Buzz

While Despite Everything hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with critical acclaim, it’s found an audience. On SensCritique, a French review aggregator, the film holds a modest 4.6/10 rating based on 359 votes. Rotten Tomatoes lists it under its original title, A Pesar de Todo, but offers no aggregated score in the snippet provided. This suggests the film may have flown under the radar for some critics, though its Netflix release likely gave it a global platform.

Tagliavini’s presence at the 22nd Málaga Film Festival hints at the film’s cultural significance in Spain. While the snippet doesn’t specify whether Despite Everything screened at the festival, Tagliavini’s involvement suggests she’s a fixture in the Spanish film scene. A YouTube critique of the film, titled Crítica de la película “A pesar de todo” dirigida por Gabriela Tagliavini, offers a deeper dive into its strengths and weaknesses, though the snippet doesn’t reveal the reviewer’s verdict.

What’s Next for the Cast and Crew?

Given the film’s lighthearted tone and star-studded cast, it’s easy to imagine Despite Everything becoming a go-to comfort watch. Whether it spawns a sequel or simply remains a standalone gem, the movie’s blend of humor and heart is a sign of Tagliavini’s ability to craft crowd-pleasing stories. For fans of Spanish cinema, it’s a chance to see some of the country’s biggest stars in a rare, female-led ensemble piece.

As for the cast, their careers have only continued to soar since the film’s release. Suárez and Salamanca remain fixtures in Spanish TV and film, while García and Cuesta have become beloved figures in comedy and drama alike. Tagliavini, meanwhile, continues to build her reputation as a director who can balance commercial appeal with emotional depth.