Dedicated to my ex
Dedicada A Mi Ex
Overview
"Dedicated to my ex" (original title: "Dedicada A Mi Ex") is a 2019 comedy film that follows the story of Ariel, a 21-year-old whose world is turned upside down when his girlfriend, Carol, breaks up with him to pursue an internship in Finland. Desperate to win her back, Ariel decides he needs to travel to Finland, but lacks the necessary funds. His last-ditch effort is to enter a battle of the bands competition with a grand prize of ten thousand dollars.
The only problem is, Ariel has no musical talent. With the help of his quirky best friend, Ortega, he holds auditions and assembles a band of misfits. This includes Felicia, a rebellious and talented drummer, and Néstor, a middle-aged, deeply religious man who is less-than-skilled on the guitar. Together, this unlikely group must navigate their clashing personalities and lack of musical prowess to have a shot at winning the prize money that Ariel believes is his ticket to rekindling his lost love.
Core Meaning
At its heart, "Dedicated to my ex" is a story about moving on and finding something new and unexpectedly wonderful in the wreckage of a failed relationship. Director Jorge Ulloa has described the film as a "love letter" to the followers of EnchufeTV, the popular YouTube channel where he and many of the cast members got their start. The film explores the idea that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. While Ariel's initial goal is to win back his ex, he ends up discovering a new passion and forming a deep bond with his bandmates, who become a sort of surrogate family. The movie suggests that chasing an idealized past can blind you to the happiness that's right in front of you. It's a comedic take on the adage that when one door closes, another one opens.
Thematic DNA
The Folly of Clinging to the Past
Ariel's entire motivation at the beginning of the film is to recapture a relationship that has already ended. He goes to extreme, often ridiculous, lengths to raise money to follow his ex to Finland, believing that their love is an "eternal love." This singular focus initially blinds him to the new relationships and experiences blossoming around him, particularly his growing connection with his bandmate, Felicia. The film uses humor to show how this obsession with the past is not only futile but also prevents personal growth.
Finding Your 'Band' in Life
The formation of the band "Rock N' Cola" is a central theme. The members are a collection of misfits with seemingly nothing in common: a heartbroken romantic, his goofy best friend, a rebellious drummer, and a devout Christian rocker. However, through their shared goal and chaotic journey, they form a strong, supportive bond. The band becomes a metaphor for finding one's tribe – a group of people who accept you, flaws and all, and help you become a better version of yourself. Their shared struggles and eventual (minor) success highlight the power of friendship and collaboration.
Embracing Imperfection and Failure
The band is, by all objective standards, not very good at music. This is a recurring joke throughout the film. Yet, their lack of technical skill is compensated by their passion and authenticity. The film celebrates the act of trying, of putting yourself out there even if you're not perfect. The story suggests that success isn't just about winning; it's about the courage to pursue a goal and the unexpected joys found along the way. Their journey is a testament to the idea that you don't have to be the best to create something meaningful.
The Underdog Story
"Dedicated to my ex" is a classic underdog story. The band starts with no talent, no resources, and a seemingly impossible goal. They are up against more polished and talented competitors. The audience is invited to root for this group of lovable losers as they stumble their way through the competition. This theme is common in comedies and speaks to the universal appeal of seeing the little guy (or the untalented band) succeed against the odds.
Character Analysis
Ariel
Raúl Santana
Motivation
Initially, his sole motivation is to win the $10,000 prize to buy a plane ticket to Finland and reunite with his ex-girlfriend, Carol. As the story progresses, his motivation shifts towards wanting the band to succeed for its own sake and for the sake of his new friends.
Character Arc
Ariel starts as a young man completely defined by his relationship. He is heartbroken and singularly focused on winning back his ex-girlfriend. His journey forces him to step out of his comfort zone, learn to collaborate with a diverse group of people, and ultimately discover his own identity outside of his past relationship. He evolves from being a man chasing a memory to someone who can appreciate the present and the new connections he has made, especially with Felicia.
Ortega
Biassini Segura
Motivation
His primary motivation is to help his best friend, Ariel, achieve his goal. He is driven by loyalty and the thrill of the adventure, readily jumping into the casting process and the subsequent chaos of managing the band.
Character Arc
Ortega is Ariel's steadfastly loyal and comically inept best friend. He supports Ariel's crazy scheme without question. While he doesn't have a dramatic personal arc, he serves as the comedic glue that holds the band together in the early stages and often acts as a catalyst for the plot's most humorous moments. His arc is more about his unwavering friendship and his own small moments of growth in confidence.
Felicia
Nataly Valencia
Motivation
Her motivation for joining the band is purely financial at first. She needs the prize money for her own undisclosed reasons. Over time, her motivation evolves as she starts to care for the band and its members, particularly Ariel.
Character Arc
Felicia is introduced as a tough, rebellious, and skilled drummer who is initially cynical about the band's prospects. She is the only truly talented musician in the group. As she spends more time with the band, her tough exterior begins to crack, revealing a more vulnerable and caring person. Her arc is about learning to trust others and allowing herself to be part of something, leading to a romantic connection with Ariel.
Néstor
Carlos Alcántara
Motivation
Néstor is motivated by a long-suppressed dream of being a rock musician. The band competition gives him a chance to live out this fantasy and escape from his mundane life, even if it's just for a short time.
Character Arc
Néstor is an older, devoutly Christian man who dreams of being a rock star, despite his lack of talent. He often provides a moral (and comedic) compass for the younger band members. His arc involves him rediscovering his youthful passion and learning to reconcile his religious beliefs with his love for rock music. He also acts as a surprisingly wise, albeit eccentric, father figure to the group.
Memorable Quotes
Cuando estoy con ella, no existe nadie más, todo explota, desaparece, y ese sentimiento mutuo es justamente el motor de este amor eterno. Por eso creo que deberíamos terminar.
— Carol (Ariel's ex-girlfriend)
Context:
This is said at the very beginning of the film, during what Ariel believes is a romantic anniversary celebration, right before she tells him she is leaving for Finland.
Meaning:
This quote, delivered by Ariel's ex-girlfriend as she breaks up with him, is deeply ironic. She describes their love in epic, cinematic terms, only to pull the rug out from under him with the breakup. It perfectly sets up the film's comedic tone and Ariel's subsequent obsession.
Como dice la frasecita, el show debe continuar.
— Unknown
Context:
This line appears in the trailer, suggesting it's a recurring sentiment or a key moment before a performance.
Meaning:
This classic phrase, often repeated in the face of adversity, encapsulates the band's spirit. Despite their numerous setbacks, lack of talent, and internal conflicts, they continue to push forward towards their goal. It's a testament to their resilience and the film's theme of perseverance.
¡Somos tan malos que ni tu mamá votaría por nosotros!
— Ortega
Context:
This is likely said during one of the band's early, disastrous rehearsals, as they come to terms with the reality of their lack of talent.
Meaning:
This quote is a humorous and self-aware admission of the band's musical ineptitude. It highlights the film's comedic style, which often pokes fun at its own characters' shortcomings. It's a moment of comic despair that makes their eventual progress all the more rewarding.
Philosophical Questions
Is it better to passionately pursue a goal, even if you fail, than to never try at all?
The film explores this question through the band's journey. They are objectively bad musicians, yet their passion and determination lead them to experiences and relationships they never would have had otherwise. The film seems to argue that the process of striving, with all its humorous failures and small victories, is where true value lies, regardless of the final outcome.
What is the true meaning of a 'happy ending' in a relationship story?
The film subverts the traditional romantic comedy trope. Ariel begins the story believing his happy ending is reuniting with his ex. However, the narrative slowly reveals that a more authentic happy ending might be moving on and finding love and fulfillment in an unexpected place. The ending, where Ariel chooses his new life with Felicia over chasing his ex, challenges the idea that one's first great love is their only one.
Cultural Impact
"Dedicated to my ex" represents a significant moment in Latin American cinema, particularly for content created by digital-native artists. Originating from the massively popular Ecuadorian YouTube channel Enchufe.tv, the film successfully translated a style of humor honed in short online sketches to a feature-length format. This demonstrated the viability of internet creators transitioning to traditional media, bringing their large, built-in audiences with them. The film's production was a collaborative effort between Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, with distribution by Sony Pictures, highlighting a trend of cross-national cooperation in the Latin American film industry.
Critically, the film was generally well-received as a fresh, entertaining, and well-produced comedy, a departure from the more dramatic films often associated with Ecuadorian cinema. Its humor was noted for being more visual and rhythm-based, influenced by its internet origins, rather than relying solely on dialogue. The inclusion of numerous famous YouTubers from across Latin America was a savvy marketing move that also cemented the film's identity as a product of the digital age. The movie's success, including becoming the highest-grossing Ecuadorian film in a decade and later being released on Netflix, showcased the global appeal of Latin American stories and talent.
Audience Reception
Audiences generally responded positively to "Dedicated to my ex," praising it as a fun, lighthearted, and genuinely funny comedy. Fans of the Enchufe.tv YouTube channel particularly appreciated that the film retained the same fast-paced, quirky, and absurd humor of the original sketches. The performances of the main cast were often highlighted, especially that of Carlos Alcántara as the comedic Christian rocker, Néstor. The numerous cameos by popular YouTubers were a major draw for younger audiences and were frequently mentioned in reviews, although some critics found them to be a bit distracting or cringey. The main points of criticism tended to focus on the plot being somewhat cliché and predictable, following a familiar underdog and romantic comedy formula. However, most viewers agreed that the film's charm, heart, and unique comedic style made up for its narrative simplicity, ultimately delivering an enjoyable and entertaining experience.
Interesting Facts
- The film was the first feature-length movie from the creators of the popular Ecuadorian YouTube channel Enchufe.tv.
- The movie's original title was going to be "Rock and Cola." However, the name was changed after survey audiences thought it was a musical.
- Co-writer and actress Nataly Valencia, who plays the drummer Felicia, secretly took drum and motorcycle lessons for a year before the casting call to ensure she got the part.
- The film is known for its fast-paced editing style. Director Jorge Ulloa mentioned that a typical movie has around 800 cuts, whereas "Dedicada a mi ex" has over 3,500.
- A scene between Ortega (in Colombia) and a food vendor played by Eugenio Derbez (in Los Angeles) was filmed in two different countries and edited together to look like a single conversation.
- The film is packed with cameos from popular Latin American YouTubers, including Luisito Comunica, Werevertumorro, Fernanfloo, and Kika Nieto.
- The post-production process for the film took about two years, partly due to the complex and rapid editing style.
- The fictional singer Olivia Castelo is voiced by Paulina Aguirre, a Latin Grammy-winning Ecuadorian singer-songwriter.
Easter Eggs
The church where the band "Rock N' Cola" practices is the same church used for the wedding of Betty and Armando in the famous Colombian telenovela "Yo soy Betty, la fea."
This is a fun nod to a beloved piece of Latin American pop culture. For viewers familiar with the iconic telenovela, it adds a layer of intertextual humor and pays homage to another successful Colombian production.
During a flashback sequence depicting the origin story of a rival metal band named "Caos," the members of the band are shown as a mariachi group.
The actors playing the mariachis are the four founders of EnchufeTV and Touché Films, the production company behind the movie. It's an inside joke for fans of the YouTube channel, showcasing the creators in a humorous, out-of-character cameo.
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