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Lotoman is a 2011 comedy drama Dominican film directed by Archie López, starring Raymond Pozo and Miguel Céspedes alongside an ensemble cast.

The story follows half-brothers Modesto (Raymond Pozo) and Manuel (Miguel Céspedes) who live in poverty. However, their lives take an unexpected turn after winning a RDS$ 100 million lottery prize but have very divided visions on how to manage their new social status as Modesto becomes a business partner to his strict boss Licenciado Ramírez (Alfonso Rodríguez) and Manuel purchases the local motorcycle store Chichi Xtreme Deluxe owned by his friend Martín (Vakeró).

Lotoman was followed by two sequels, which were released in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

These movies contain examples of:

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    The trilogy in general 
  • Adorably Precocious Child: Susanita is a very responsible mature kid and Modesto, Manuel, Sobeida and everyone else comprising their family circle are fond of her.
  • Character Catchphrase: Manuel has a very iconic hilarious one. ¿Por qué tu daña' el momento? ("Why are you spoilin' the moment?"
  • Clingy Jealous Girl: Sobeida is clearly one to Manuel, especially when it comes to the female employees working at Chichi Xtreme Luxury, even going as far as to fire all of them on a whim, being only guilty of having flirty personalities. Manuel becomes pretty sick of this after having a nightmare in which Sobeida catches him bathing on a pool with two strikingly attractive women, happening to be the same ones whom he danced with at a nightclub.
    Sobeida: Chuchi! Chuchi! That's how I wanted to find you!
    Manuel: No, honey. It's not what you think—
    [Sobeida slaps Manuel and proceeds to drown him before waking up from his dream screaming. Both of them scream at the same time]
    Sobeida: What's wrong with you, what's wrong with you?
    Manuel: Not even in a dream can you stop harassing me!
  • Cool Uncle: Modesto to Susanita.
  • Childhood Friends: Modesto and La Gallina.
  • Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: Some of the characters from the first film did not return in the sequels, while those who returned in the second did not appear in the third either.
  • Deadpan Snarker: Sobeida for most of the time.
  • Hair-Trigger Temper: Sobeida is very prone to anger and snark comments.
  • Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Manuel is the foolish brother to Modesto's responsible.
  • Spicy Latina: Sobeida, and how.
  • Title Drop: Several times, especially given Modesto and Manuel's new lifestyle.
  • Ugly Guy, Hot Wife: Manuel is the ugly husband to Sobeida's hot wife. Modesto and Mechy qualify as well.
  • Wise Beyond Their Years: Susanita has lots of sayings that are accurately true.

    Lotoman 
  • An Aesop: The housekeeper gives one to Modesto while attending Ramírez's party. All that glitters is not gold.
  • Big "WHAT?!": Manuel, Sobeida and Susanita throw a big one at the same time when Mamá Susana tells them that the winning lottery ticket is one of which Modesto had kept after it was rejected by Don Josin.
  • The Cameo: Musician Johnny Ventura makes a brief appearance at the beginning of the film as Modesto's father.
  • Cool Old Guy: Don Tomás.
  • Creator Cameo: Archie López, the director, appears as himself when he proposes to make Modesto and Manuel's success into a movie.
    Archie López: I've got the perfect movie for you: Lotoman.
  • Disproportionate Retribution: Licenciado Ramírez pettily firing Modesto as his personal driver just because he got distracted and accidentally ran Manuel over, who was driving recklessly on his motorcyle.
  • Does This Remind You of Anything?: The argument between Modesto and Manuel when the former suggests that they sell their house and move to the new luxurious apartment, even suggesting that Manuel move the motorcyle workshop somewhere near the block, only for Manuel to admonish him, ending with Modesto asking him "Why can't you be a normal man?". This quote is suspiciously reminiscent of La familia P. Luche whenever anyone or the titular family dismiss Bibi's intelligence and metaphoric speeches.
  • Explain, Explain... Oh, Crap!: Played for Laughs. Modesto is busy practicing his English until Manuel suddenly yells out in excitement, 'I'M RICH!!!, before being joined by Sobeida and Susanita, who yell out as well, leading Modesto to demand to know what's gotten into them. Cue Modesto's priceless reaction when he realizes they won the lottery.
    Modesto: Oh...my...god. [puts his hand on his chin to close his mouth]
  • Freudian Excuse: Modesto's reasoning of not wanting to know anything about money gambling games. His father died of a heart attack after betting almost everything in the local cockfights.
  • Gilligan Cut: This exchange between Modesto and Mamá Susana, refusing to go send the lottery tickets home by home in Manuel's place after he got injured.
    Modesto: Well, Mom, let me tell you something. I can't go, you know that goes against my principles.
    Mamá Susana: Uh-uh? Well, you are going.
    Modesto: Mom, no, no and no!
[cut to Modesto riding the subway on his way to deliver the tickets]
  • Ignored Epiphany: While attending a party at Ramírez's place with a lot of famous people, Modesto is quick to realize that he doesn't really fit in, let alone when the girl he's in love with and his boss' wife don't even pay any attention to him. This was after Manuel earlier refused to move to the new apartment Modesto bought and decided that they shouldn't move out. However, it is Modesto the one who ends up moving out after Manuel's "The Reason You Suck" Speech makes him revert to the new person he's become while enjoying his seemingly new comfortable lifestyle.
  • It's All About Me: Manuel angrily points out to Modesto how he let his desire to associate himself to his boss Ramírez after becoming a millionaire feed his own ego.
    Manuel: So you're the one who knows, huh? But you really have come to believe such thing, "Licenciado Modesto-Ramírez"!
  • My God, What Have I Done?:
    • Averted. Modesto gets briefly distracted while driving his boss and accidentally runs Manuel over, who was recklessly driving his fixed motorcycle. Modesto quickly gets out of the car and panics, initially believing that he killed him. Manuel got luckily unharmed, although with a broken leg.
    • Manuel has one for telling Modesto that he wished he never came into their lives and become the person he is now had Mamá Susana not adopted him. Sobeida comforts him.
  • Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: It was quite a poor timing for Modesto to tell Manuel and the family that they shouldn't move out of the house as Manuel started ranting when his motorcycle was stolen from him. However, Manuel is the one to blame here while calling out Modesto for letting his ambition to become Licenciado Ramírez's business partner go to his head and wishing he never came into their lives had Mamá Susana not adopted him. As a result, Modesto is the one who ends up moving out of the house. Manuel immediately regrets what he said.
  • No Antagonist: Since it focuses on them winning the lottery by chance, the only antagonists in the story are basically the differing visions between Modesto and Manuel about what is the true meaning of being a millionaire.
    • However, some could argue that the main villain is Licenciado Ramírez as he was constantlty manipulating Modesto into spending his entire fortune and this resulted in his actions alienating him from his family.
  • Rags to Riches: Played straight with Modesto and Manuel as it is the film's main storyline. Due to Don Josin refusing a lottery ticket and Modesto keeping it, this one coincidentally ends up being the winner.
  • "The Reason You Suck" Speech: After Manuel's motorcycle is stolen, both him and Modesto get into a heated argument of how their new lives as millionaires have changed them into different persons.
    Modesto: What happened?
    Manuel: My passola got stolen! And it's like you said, we are moving out first thing in the moring! Or even better, we're moving out today!
    Modesto: Easy, easy, we better not, I changed my mind. We're not moving out.
    Manuel: Of course we are, what do you mean we're not?!
    Modesto: Hey, now don't you argue with me, 'cause I'm the one who knows and I said no!
    Manuel: So you're the one who knows, huh? But you really have come to believe such thing, "Licenciado Modesto-Ramírez"!
    Modesto: And you, being such a foolish by supposedly buying a filthy workshop, fixing passolas, drinking beers. That money won't reach you on Monday.
    Manuel: So many courses and so many stuff for nothing. May I remind you that if you have money it's thanks to us? If Mom Susana hadn't took you in and adopted you, you'd be a nobody!
  • Riches to Rags: Happens to Modesto towards the end of the film after spending all of his money. The clothes he wears while walking the streets in sadness lampshade this.
  • Serenade Your Lover: Manuel and Martín serenade Sobeida and a female neighbor.
  • Small Role, Big Impact: Modesto's father fits this trope as his sudden death is what leads Modesto to not wanting to know anything about betting money and his family to move from the countryside to Santo Domingo, then after selling almost all but one of the lottery tickets (which coincidentally wins), this is just the beginning of the consequences.
  • Ugly Guy, Hot Wife: Manuel is the ugly husband to Sobeida's hot wife.
  • You Need to Get Laid: Camelita confides in Modesto that her mom is encouraging her to have a boyfriend, yet she states that every men she has ever met is boring. In her own words, she wants a man who can make her laugh.

    Lotoman 2.0 
  • All Just a Dream: Modesto and Manuel have a confrontation with karate fighters when arriving at the lair where Susanita is held hostage, then surrounded by Jorge and Rubén but are then saved at the last minute by Mechy who pulls out a katana. However, it turns out to be a dream of Modesto who fell asleep on the way to rescue Susanita.
  • Almost Kiss: Modesto and a potential love partner are about to kiss in his car, only to get interrupted by a call from Manuel, who asks Modesto to bail him and Marcelo out of trouble after getting arrested for reckless boat driving.
  • Big Bad: Helga, the Marchena's housekeeper, who was the employer of Susanita's kidnappers, Jorge and Rubén.
  • Big Bad Duumvirate: Helga, Jorge and Rubén are the ones responsible behind Susanita's kidnapping, with the latters doing most of the dirty work.
  • Butt-Monkey: Manuel gets amusingly injured several times when Sobeida is about to give birth, then faints at the sight of their newborn triplets.
  • Blatant Lies: When Manuel approaches the older secretary, who misunderstands him when he asks about Dahiana. Manuel yells at her this question and she insists that she isn't deaf. But when Modesto and Marcelo arrive, however...
  • Blunt "Yes": Manuel's direct answer to Sobeida for firing all of the female employees at Chichi Xtreme Luxury when she asks him if she is such a jealous wife. We can tell by her shocked face that he's right about it.
  • Brick Joke: Earlier in the first film, Modesto promised Camelita to give her bachata lessons, or as he says "a bachelor degree in bachata, wow!". This wish is granted courtesy of Modesto after arranging a meeting with her at a nightclub.
  • The Bus Came Back: Camelita and La Gallina, two of Modesto's love interests, appear briely in the film as he invites them over for a date while trying to unsuccesfully seek the love of his life. It doesn't turn out as expected, though. Licenciado Ramírez also returns towards the end of the film to help out Modesto and Manuel give the finishing touches to pay off their mother Susana's surgery in China after selling almost all of their possessions.
  • Call-Back: Two very reminiscent of the first film.
    • Modesto is seen practicing Chinese just before getting interrupted by Sobeida and Manuel to ask him if he picked Susanita up from her ballet class. He assumes that they won the lottery again, because in the previous this happened in a similar fashion when he was practicing English and they were trying to get his attention about the ticket he couldn't sell.
    Modesto: [speaking poor words in Chinese]
    Manuel: Modesto!
    Sobeida: Modesto!
    Modesto: What's the matter? Don't tell me you won the lottery again.
    • Susanita telling her family that she dreamed of some lottery tickets. Guess what's their reaction.
    Susanita: Mom, I dreamed of some lottery tickets.
    All: WHAT?!
  • The Cameo: La Materialista portrays one of Modesto's dates at the restaurant.
  • Comically Missing the Point: This exchange when Sobeida is about to give birth.
    Sobeida: The water broke!
    Manuel: (looking at the fountain) But the water of the fountain looks fine to me.
    Mama Susana: She's giving birth!
  • Chick Magnet and Dude Magnet: Shortly after arriving at Chichi Xtreme Luxury, Marcelo catches the eyes of the female employees, including Dahiana, the secretary, and even a male employee who's gay.
  • Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: Camelia, Don Tomás, Martín and the housekeeper are not heard of again.
  • Foreshadowing: Modesto, Manuel and Mechy arrive at the lair looking for Susanita, but she is nowhere to be found. It turns out that Jorge and Rubén were tipped off by their employer instructing them to escape. As Helga was present in the house when Mamá Susana claimed to know where Susanita was, it gives us the hint that Helga is the culprit.
    Jorge: I don't know how they managed to find us, luckily our boss called.
  • The Heavy: Jorge and Rubén are the main threat to the Marchena family and Helga was mostly maintaining her facade.
  • Heel–Face Turn: Jorge and Rubén go through one after Susana gives them a pep talk. They eventually decide to let her go and turn themselves in to the police.
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Even though it's very unusual in a kidnapping, Jorge and Rubén, instead of torturing her, treat Susanita with respect, even buying her pizza for dinner and using objects as hand fans to help her sleep.
  • Just Friends: Even if their bachata dance was really something unforgettable, Camelita gently makes it clear to Modesto that they're only friends when he tries finishing the night by kissing her. La Gallina does this as well to Modesto when she announces she's getting married.
  • Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places: A very interesting subplot of the film is Modesto trying to seek the perfect woman, but he is not as lucky after meeting several at public places and others at a restaurant that aren't quite his type. On one ocassion, he seemed to finally find one, only to realize she isn't what she looks like. This also happens with Camelita, who friendzones him, and his childhood friend La Gallina, who is to get married to another man.
  • Mama Bear / Papa Wolf: Sobeida and Manuel become this after learning that Susanita was kidnapped. Manuel wants to go to the police, while Sobeida goes as far to even go to the media to make the plight public if necessary even though Jorge and Rubén had blackmailed them earlier.
    Manuel: Let's go. I'm not getting killed by sadness.
    Susana: Where are you going?
    Modesto: To the police, Mom.
    Sobeida: You're going to the police, but I'm going to Zona Cinco, to El Gobierno de la Mañana, to Nuria. My daughter will have to show up!
  • Not What It Looks Like: After all of the female employees, Dahiana included, are fired by Sobeida, Manuel recounts to Modesto and Marcelo the time where he and Dahiana were caught in an awkward situation at work. Manuel had accidentally dropped a piece of paper and when Dahiana went down to retrieve it, Sobeida, Modesto and Helga arrived at his office. Unfortunately, Dahiana emerges from the desk by Manuel's side, causing Sobeida to assume the worse.
  • Put on a Bus: Dahiana and the female employees at Chichi Xtreme Luxury are unceremoniously fired only because Sobeida found their flirty personalities to be completely unprofessional and do not appear for the rest of the film. She replaces them with male ones and Dahiana with a deaf older woman, although she considers her cousin Mechy for the job.
  • Put on a Prison Bus: Helga is arrested after her involvement in Susana's kidnapping is exposed.
  • A Match Made In Stockholm Syndrome: Downplayed; Susanita develops sympathy for Jorge and Rubén after kidnapping her.
  • Take That!: The argument between Manuel and the older deaf secretary.
    Older secretary: And let me tell you, I'm your personal assistant from now ON!
    Manuel: From now ago.
  • Unsettling Gender-Reveal: Played for Laughs as Modesto visibly feels grossed out when he sees one of his potential love partners pee standing up while Village People's "YMCA" plays on the background and he rushes out of the place, embarrassed. Very much later, his brother Manuel and Marcelo burst out laughing after he tells them.
  • Wham Line: When Helga is revealed as the mastermind behind Susanita's kidnapping. A flashback shows she was the one who tipped off Jorge and Rubén about the family tracing their lair.
    Helga: Get out! Get out, they found you!
  • You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Mechy comforts Modesto who expresses how unlucky he is trying to seek true love.
    Mechy: Is something wrong, Mr. Modesto? I see you're sad.
    Modesto: I'm a mess, Mechy. I'm unlucky in love.
    Mechy: Don't be so hard on yourself. You're a good man, of beatiful values. How many women wouldn't wish to have such man by their side?
    Modesto: Thanks, Mechy.
    Mechy: You'll see. When you expect it the least, love will call.

    Lotoman 003 
  • Big Bad: The leader of "La Cosa Aquella" who tries to swindle Modesto and Manuel. His identity is revealed to be El Bori.
  • Big Damn Heroes: Modesto and Manuel become this in the eyes of the citizens after stopping two thieves who mugged an elderly woman by getting her purse back. This scene is very awesome that it has to be seen to be believed.
  • Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: El Bori was revealed to be this at the end of the film after he was unmasked as the leader of the evil organization "La Cosa Aquella".
  • Bitch Slap: Diego (rightfully) gets one from Sobeida when he tried to seduce her into getting back with him.
  • Et Tu, Brute?: Modesto and Manuel are deeply hurt and angered to know that El Bori was the mastermind behind "La Cosa Aquella".
  • Funny Background Event: The scene where Mechy covers Modesto's eyes. While he guesses repeatedly with a lot of compliments, a young man can be seen laughing at this and using body language thinking that he's crazy.
  • Put on a Prison Bus: El Bori, the leader of "La Cosa Aquella" gets defeated by Modesto and Manuel and arrested.
  • Red Herring: Diego, Sobeida's former boyfriend, who offers his services to invest in Sobeida and Mechy's dancing class business is suspected by Modesto and Manuel to be the leader of "La Cosa Aquella". However, El Bori is revealed to be the real culprit and all Diego was trying to do, aside from this, was to use this as an opportunity to get back with her.

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