Watch Through My Window

Cast: Julio Pena (Ares Hidalgo), Clara Galle (Raquel), Guillermo Lasheras (Yoshi)
Directed By: Marcal Fores
Based On:Through My Window  (A traves de mi ventana) By Ariana Godoy
Platform: Netflix

Language : Spanish (Original)

Rating: 2/5

10th Feb 2022, Preeti Ramesh

At the time of me writing this, the movie was among the top 10 most watched shows on Netflix. However, after watching the 1 hr 53 min video, it feels like the movie only gained popularity for its two good looking leads and numerous steamy scenes. 

The storyline employs typical genres which have been packed and repacked through the century, which would have been ok if the packing was more original. It manages to cover all the below stereotypes

Rich Guy Poor Girl

Bad Boy Good Girl

Boy can’t love because he got baggage and girl helps him deal with baggage.

Bad Boy becomes Good Boy after falling for Girl

The lead hero is Ares, the second among the three Hidalgo heirs (Artemis, Ares and Apollo),one of the richest family in Spain who own Alpha 3, housed in one of the most impressive business centres in Barcelona. By some twist of fate, Raquel lives in a less than impressive abode next to the Hidalgo Mansion. She obsessively collects information and photos of Ares and dreams of being a writer. It’s a stolen Wif-fi password and hacked laptop that begins dialogue between the leads. One thing leads to another, among which are several makeout/intercourse sessions which ends in heartbreak for Raquel. For Ares feels things after his intensive love making with Raquel which makes him feel uneasy and he dismisses her. We see Ares rubbing his chest repeatedly to highlight his discomfort. And why isn’t he comfortable with falling in love? Because, the biggest diktat that has been passed down by his father is “F**k all the women you want, but don’t fall in love”. Lame right?! I know!

Does Raquel learn from being burnt once? Nope! She goes back for more. Luckily for her, the hero decides to embrace his feelings for her and goes steady. The class divide gets highlighted when Ares brings his girlfriend to a business party hosted by his family, where Raquel’s mother is also waitressing. Needless to say, it doesn’t end well. Repeated attempts by Ares to patch up are ignored by Raquel. Point to highlight* when he fornicated with her and then ditched her, she was fine with making up with him. But, when he was ready to introduce her to his family and events out of his control happened, she refuses to take him back. Her big grouch when she boards the elevator to leave, is that he has not said the three magical words.*

And what is it with movies always incorporating a dramatic final running scene where …. When he has to rush to the prom, how does he go about it? Take his private car,… No, take a taxi,…. No, …. A cycle … No. He decides to run! Because, that’s how the intensity and desperation of the hero will be conveyed and that’s how they show his burning love fueling his run all the way to her college. A near fatal accident sees Ares admitted to the ICU, and our heroine refuses to leave his side even amidst blatant disapproval from the hero’s family. However, all the disapproval and opposition magically disappears in one shot, when Raquel barges into their office and lectures both the hero’s elder brother and father about their relationship. We are saved from knowing the contents of Raquel’s speech but all is hunky-dory when Ares wakes up. The family is fully supportive of their relationship because Ares’ near death episode makes them realise his happiness is more important than any lame diktat. Ares gets into the best medical college in Europe. Their long distance relationship is successful and Raquel overcomes her writer’s block. All’s well and that ends TOO well.

Though I have not read the original novel on which the story is based, online reports claim it to be a popular Spanish romance bestseller. Novellas are usually more creative about the plotline and movie scripts have a way of ruining the essence of one. Hard to judge, since the movie  also seems popular, which is where you start to question the general public’s taste. Artemis is having a fling with their young housekeeper, Apollo hooks up with Raquel’s best friend (girl) and Raquel’s other best friend (boy) is in love with her, which pretty much sums up all the pairings.

If soft porn is your thing, I suggest to go ahead and watch it. Else, this is one window you can pass without gazing into.