By Rachel Galvin

All good things must come to an end. When Carmen chooses her mental health over continuing to be the leading actress on a popular sitcom called “Aida,” she had no idea the fight ahead of her nor the fate that was soon to befall the whole cast.

This situation is just one of the plot lines in the new film “Aida y Vuelta,” which follows a group of sitcom actors behind the scenes, showing their real lives and how it affects them. Carmen is not the only one with issues. One holds onto a secret. Another speaks out about harassment only to have it blow up in her face. The soap opera behind the scenes is almost more dramatic than the sitcom itself. 

Carmen, played by Carmen Machi, might be falling apart mentally from the stress, but she still pulls herself up and keeps moving forward to battle against the system the best way she can. She is a force to be reckoned with, trying to break free from the trap she finds herself in.

The movie touches on serious subjects like sexual harassment, bullying, the use of artificial intelligence, women empowerment, HIV, cancel culture and more. But the film is quite funny as the characters gossip about what is happening with everyone and the production, and deal with people on the street hounding them for photo ops.

The film is based on a very popular Spanish sitcom called “Aida,” which aired on Telecino from 2004 to 2014. In the beginning of the film, words go across the screen mentioning the sitcom and asking what would happen if the sitcom had continued another four years. This film is a hypothetical look at what might happen. 

Machi gives a commanding performance as the leading lady in this film. Watching her and the rest of the cast is enjoyable throughout. Through the drama and comedy, you are engaged in what happens next in this slice of life production.

The film will be premiering in Miami on Thursday, February 5 at Cinepolis Coconut Grove (with Machi and director/ actor Paco León in attendance. Regular engagement starts at the theater the following day.