It’s no surprise when a Doritos commercial goes viral after premiering during the Super Bowl or some other major TV event, but one touching TV spot for the cheesy chip brand has been making its rounds online for the last few weeks and is being commended for its message on acceptance.
In the original Spanish-language commercial, which has been viewed more than 14 million times in the last month, was released in Mexico during the holidays. It begins with a son, Javier, telling his father that he is on his way home from college for Christmas break. When his father asks who is with him, he tells him that he’s invited his friend Manuel to join him because “he didn’t have plans for the holidays.”
During Javier’s visit, his father sees signs that Javier and Manuel are more than just friends. He goes into an online forum to get some advice. “I’m a 52-year-old divorced father and I need some help,” he writes. “I think my son and his friend are a couple, and he won’t tell me. How can I let them know that everything is OK?”
After a few days, Javier’s father confronts him one morning in the kitchen, but does it in a way that would bring a tear to the eyes of anyone watching. He doesn’t ask questions or make Javier feel like he needs to come out and admit what he already knows. Instead, he tells him what any son would want to hear from his dad.
“I wanted to tell you that…I love you.”
Javier reacts: “What you want to tell me is…that you love me as I am?”
The commercial ends with the father and son embracing and everyone else at home reaching for a tissue–probably with cheesy fingers.
See the trailer with English subtitles below.