The Lulu Club or Papá al Rescate is a captivating Spanish film helmed by director Marcos Carnevale, featuring an ensemble cast including Laurita Fernández, Fernando Larrain, Rodrigo Muñoz, Benjamin Vicuña, and Jorge Zabaleta. This comedic journey delves into the life-altering events that unfold for Nicolas, a man on the cusp of his impending marriage when he unexpectedly receives a letter that sets him on a rollercoaster ride of misfortune, mayhem, and laughter.
Spoilers Ahead
The Letter Of Revelation
Meet Nicolas, a successful and affluent businessman who finds immeasurable joy and purpose in the companionship of his three lifelong friends—Chico, Raimundo, and Fernando. This inseparable group has shared an unbreakable bond since their earliest days, growing up together and eventually achieving financial independence in their respective fields. Fuelled by their desire to savor life to the fullest, they make the decision to cohabit in a shared home, relishing in the camaraderie that has defined their childhood. Nicolas, with his heart bursting with love, is eagerly anticipating his upcoming marriage to his beloved partner, Nacho, who serves as a flight attendant. In just a week’s time, Nacho will join him in matrimony, solidifying their commitment to one another. Overwhelmed with joy at witnessing their dearest friend’s journey toward lifelong happiness, Chico, Raimundo, and Fernando conspire to organize a surprise celebration, an occasion to revel in Nicolas’s newfound love and life that awaits him. However, amidst the merriment, as wine is poured and creme brulee is shared, Nicolas’s world is abruptly shaken by the arrival of a life-altering letter. The contents of the letter bear devastating news—his ex-girlfriend, Laura, has tragically succumbed to a grave illness. In a heartbreaking revelation, the letter discloses that Laura had given birth to a child, now six years old, and left in the care of adoption services unless a living guardian steps forward to claim responsibility. Nicolas’s path intersected with Laura’s during his time working at a vineyard. Their connection was instantaneous, and they attempted to build a life together. However, as time unfolded, they came to the realization that their relationship was not destined for romantic fulfillment. Laura, understanding Nicolas’s homosexuality, made the difficult decision to part ways amicably, knowing that their love could not evolve in the way they had initially envisioned. Despite their separation, Laura harbored deep respect and admiration for Nicolas. Laura carried the memory of their connection within her heart, and she made it a point to share the truth with their daughter. To the child, she would often speak fondly of Nicolas, painting him as a loving father figure who resided on the other side of the majestic mountains.
With his life suddenly thrust into an uncharted situation, Nicolas, accompanied by his three loyal and unconventional companions, embarks on a drive to Mendoza. Their goal is clear—to locate and reclaim his daughter before she is irreversibly placed for adoption.
The Journey
Unfortunately, as the group reached the checkpoint, they received unexpected news that Fernando, with his eccentric nature, was facing legal consequences that prevented him from leaving the country. The reason behind this injunction was a peculiar incident that occurred one day when Fernando, in a rather impulsive manner, decided to remove most of his clothing and take a bath right in the middle of an office floor. The audacious display led to his arrest, and he was advised not to leave the country until the legal matter had been resolved. However, this inconvenience paled in comparison to the mounting challenges they faced in their quest to secure custody of Lulu, Nicolas’s daughter. The proprietor of the orphanage vehemently resisted granting Nicolas guardianship, citing his homosexuality as the primary reason. In the proprietor’s eyes, she believed that it was inappropriate for a girl to grow up without a mother, and she harbored deep reservations about the idea of Lulu being raised solely by two men. Fortunately, Fernando was able to fetch a ride with two sisters, who kind of smuggled him out of the country using a different route, helping him to reunite with his friends. Further complicating their already tumultuous journey, Nicolas and his friends encountered a harrowing incident as their car veered off a cliff while they had momentarily stepped away to relieve themselves by the side of the highway. Stranded without transportation, their predicament seemed increasingly dire. Fortunately, luck seemed to smile upon them once more as the same women who had previously aided Fernando came to their rescue, offering them a ride. However, their relief was short-lived as the truth about Nicolas’s sexual orientation came to light. Unbeknownst to them, the sisters who provided the ride held staunch religious beliefs that vehemently opposed same-sex marriage, viewing it as a sin. Driven by their convictions, the sisters not only expelled Nicolas and his friends from the vehicle but also subjected them to the indignity of being stripped down to their underwear.
‘The Lulu Club’ Ending
Left stranded in the blistering desert heat, the scorching sun took its toll on their weary bodies, pushing them to the brink of desperation. In a moment of heat-induced delirium, Fernando, in a reckless act, consumed a poisonous cactus, goading others to follow suit. However, a stroke of fortune intervened once more as their paths once again crossed with the very sisters who had previously shown them disdain. This time, seizing the opportunity, they resorted to stealing the sisters’ van, their only means of escape. With their stolen vehicle, they once again continue their journey to the orphanage. In a twist of betrayal, the director of the orphanage employed deceitful tactics, intentionally providing Nicolas with false information regarding the custody hearing for Lulu. Driven by her staunch belief that two homosexual men were unfit to raise a child together, the director manipulated the situation to ensure Nicolas’s absence from the crucial hearing. As expected, Nicolas missed the opportunity to present his case. Determined and resolute, Nicolas refused to concede defeat. His unwavering commitment to his daughter and the promise he had made to himself propelled him forward. Nicolas and his loyal friends seized a daring opportunity—they took it upon themselves to liberate Lulu from the confines of the biased director’s clutches, setting in motion a plan to transport her to Chile, where the laws governing custody were more favorable to Nicolas’s circumstances. With careful precision, they managed to evade the watchful eyes of the authorities, thanks in part to the help of Raimundo’s daughters, who proved to be invaluable allies in their plan. The plan goes through, and the group successfully smuggled Lulu across the border into Chile. Chile’s legal system recognized his right to custody, affirming his role as a loving father to Lulu. With devotion, Nicolas vowed to provide his daughter with the safe and nurturing home she deserved, a place where she could thrive and grow, surrounded by love.