Tini: The New Life of Violetta – Tini: El gran cambio de Violetta (2016)

Directed by: Juan Pablo Buscarini | 99 minutes | drama, romance, family | Actors: Martina Stoessel, Jorge Blanco, Adrián Salzedo, Mercedes Lambre, Diego Ramos, Clara Alonso, Sofia Carson, Leonardo Cecchi, Ridder van Kooten, Beatrice Arnera, Georgina Amorós, Francisco Viciana, Pasquale Di Nuzzo, Ángela Molina, Rolando San Martín

The Argentine TV series “Violetta” became a big hit among children, especially in Spanish-speaking countries, thanks to the involvement of Disney Channel Latin America. The loyal fan base could enjoy the adventures of the seventeen-year-old girl Violetta every week for three seasons. She moves with her father from Madrid to Buenos Aires. Violetta is – like her late mother – a talented singer. But her father raises her rather protectively. She continues to develop her talent in Buenos Aires. She has to deal with the usual teenage troubles: falling in love, discovering who you really are and building friendships. The success of the TV series led to a film about Violetta being made: ‘Tini: Violetta’s New Life’.

The film is set after the events of the last season. “Tini: Violetta’s New Life” kicks off when Violetta decides she needs a break from her fame and busy life. Things are not going so well between her and boyfriend León. Father Germán sends Violetta to Italy to relax. At a resort for young artists, Violetta discovers who Tini is. In addition, she makes new friends and finds out where her real passion lies.

‘Tini: The New Life of Violetta’ is mainly intended as fan service. Nevertheless, without having seen the TV series or knowing the characters, the film is easy to follow. The storyline isn’t too complicated. The actors make clear with a few dialogues what the most important points of the prehistory are.

The setting is wonderfully summery. This film is almost at the same time a selling point for an Italian holiday as it is for the album by lead actress Martina Stoessel. Because it goes without saying that the music is of course an important part of the film. They are sweet, simple songs that don’t make much of an impression. But you can imagine that a younger generation likes to run away with this. The film looks neat, with Violetta’s main performance appearing to be inspired by Katniss’ spectacular entrance into the pageant at the start of The Hunger Games.

Of course there are also caveats. The events are not all very believable. A musical village festival, for example, seems to be able to build on more budget than the Eurovision Song Contest. Characters sometimes make incomprehensible decisions. Two men dive after a suitcase that has fallen into the sea. Then they fight underwater over who can bring it up. The outcome can be guessed…. In addition, the explanation of the main question of the film (“Who is Tini?”) is definitely unsatisfactory, because illogical. Are these insurmountable issues that concern the Violetta fan? Probably not. The rest of the movie audience can easily let this movie pass by.