Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
The film tells the story of Ariel, a 21-year-old who decides to form a rock band to compete for a prize of ten thousand dollars in a musical band contest, this as a last option when trying to get money to save their relationship and reunite with his ex-girlfriend, which breaks due to the trip she must make to Finland for an internship. Ariel with her friend Ortega, decides to make a casting to find the other members of the band, although they do not know nothing about music, thus forming a band with members that have diverse and opposite personalities.
Dedicated to my ex is a light Ecuadorian comedy-drama with a charming if familiar premise—forming a ragtag band to win prize money and save a relationship. The plot hits recognizable beats (mismatched bandmates, underdog competition, romantic stakes) without much subversion, earning a modest above-average score for its local color and earnest execution. Acting appears competent and likable for a regional production but not exceptional. Cinematography is below average, typical of lower-budget Latin American comedies with functional but uninspired visual craft. Novelty gets a slight bump for its Ecuadorian setting and cultural specificity, which give it a distinctive local voice even within a well-worn genre framework. The ending likely resolves warmly and predictably, landing solidly average. The high TMDB score likely reflects strong regional audience affection rather than universal craft distinction.