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It’s Not You, It’s Me (2010) movie poster

Timeline

It’s Not You, It’s Me (2010) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2010 · 100 mins · Spanish
Directed by
Alejandro Springall
Starring
Memo Villegas, Eugenio Derbez, Blanca Sánchez, Gina Morett, Regina Orozco, Alejandra Barros

Javier marries his beloved María and dreams of a lifelong happiness together, but tragedy strikes soon after the wedding, taking her away. Grieving and confused, he wrestles with his emotions, searching for a way to accept his wife's death and eventually discover love again.

On this page (4)
  1. 1 Events in order (15)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Every angle

15 events in order · contains spoilers

It’s Not You, It’s Me Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of It’s Not You, It’s Me (2010) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Javier and Maria plan to move to Florida and marry

    Javier, a cardiac surgeon, and his girlfriend Maria decide to leave Mexico for a change of pace in Florida and start anew. They also plan to marry as part of their move. This decision sets the stage for future upheavals and a life built around new beginnings.

    Where
    Mexico
  2. Javier and Maria marry; Maria heads to Miami

    Javier and Maria go through with their wedding as plans for Florida unfold, and Maria heads to Miami to prepare for his arrival. The alliance seems solid as she sets up their shared future. Javier remains behind briefly, contemplating what lies ahead.

    Where
    Mexico / Miami
  3. Maria reveals the affair on the way to the airport

    On the way to the airport after the wedding, Maria calls to reveal she is with another man, Jorge Rubio. She bluntly tells him 'It's not you, it's me' and ends the dream of joining her in Florida. The revelation shatters Javier's sense of hope and leaves him reeling.

    Where
    On the way to the airport
  4. Distraught Javier moves back to his parents and seeks help

    Distraught, Javier sells his apartment and car and moves back to his parents' house. He begins seeing a psychiatrist to cope with heartbreak and a loss of direction. His life turns inward as he confronts his pain.

    Where
    Parents' home
  5. Javier struggles at work and is suspended

    Back at work, Javier cannot concentrate and accidentally injures a patient. He is told not to return until he can focus and stop letting his problems spill into the operating room. The setback threatens his career and his confidence.

    Where
    Hospital
  6. Javier mourns the loss of his fish and Maria apologizes

    Javier discovers the fish he named Javier has died, a symbolic blow to his fading optimism. When Maria eventually calls to apologize, he rebuffs her and hints that the problem was Jorge Rubio. The heartbreak deepens as he isolates himself further.

    Where
    Home
  7. Javier buys a dog and reconnects with Julia

    In the park, Javier sees a man meet a woman through a puppy, which sparks his decision to get a dog. He returns to the pet shop where he later runs into Julia again, a woman who once tried to talk to him at the movies. The encounter plants the seed for a new connection.

    Where
    Park / Pet shop
  8. Javier opens up and dates Gabi Rincon but she is engaged

    His mother advises him to open up emotionally and stop using the dog as a shield. He digs into his little black book to call ex-girlfriends and lines up a date with Gabi Rincon, only to learn she is engaged and just wanted his wedding invitation. He realizes he is not ready for casual dating.

    Where
    Home
  9. Six months later: Lola and a one-night stand

    Six months later, Javier is running with Pimpton in the park when he meets Lola, a woman with another Great Dane. They share a one-night stand, but follow-up calls are met with her clear instruction not to contact again. The encounter pushes Javier to reflect on his emotional readiness.

    When
    Six months later
    Where
    Park
  10. Javier becomes a plastic surgeon; Pimpton is pregnant

    Javier finally lands a job as a plastic surgeon and his life seems to improve. Pimpton is revealed to be pregnant, and the pet-shop owner offers to buy her, but Javier decides to keep her. Julia gives Javier her number in case he has trouble with the dog.

    Where
    Clinic / Pet shop
  11. Pimpton's puppies and bond with Julia

    Sometime later, Pimpton is ready to have the puppies. Javier calls Julia, who comes to help with the last puppy, cementing a bond between them. The shared moment builds trust and hints at a future together.

    Where
    Home
  12. Javier moves out and starts dating Julia; Pedrito joins

    Javier moves out of his parents' house and asks Julia out on a date. Julia shows up with her young son Pedrito, and Javier gets along with him; the date goes well, and they plan to see each other again. A new blended-family dynamic begins to form.

    Where
    Javier's apartment
  13. Maria's hospital news interrupts a party

    During an intimate moment with Julia, Maria calls to say her dad is in the hospital due to a heart attack. Javier agrees to go see him at the hospital and also offers to pick up Maria at the airport, showing he still cares in a complicated way. Julia overhears and quietly leaves the party.

    Where
    Party / Hospital
  14. Maria's dad surgery and the result

    Javier is allowed to perform a successful surgery on Maria's dad, earning her gratitude and affirming his professional competence amid personal turmoil. The moment underscores the complexities of his life between old loyalties and new love.

    Where
    Hospital
  15. Maria's letter and Javier chooses Julia

    Maria sends a letter apologizing for the affair and asking to be with him again, but Javier reads it and decides not to return to her. He tells Maria that it’s not her fault, but he must move forward with Julia. The film ends with him entering a life with Julia, Pedrito, Pimpton, and the puppies.

    Where
    Javier's apartment

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:24

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Timeline questions answered

It’s Not You, It’s Me Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of It’s Not You, It’s Me (2010): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Maria leave Javier right after their wedding?

Maria called Javier on his way to the airport and revealed she was with another man, Jorge Rubio. She told him "It's not you, it's me" and asked him not to come to Miami, ending their plans to start a new life together in Florida. The affair had been ongoing before the wedding, and she chose to end the marriage rather than move forward with Javier.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the pet shop, Julia appears with a mysterious, kind aura that foreshadows her eventual role in Javier's life.

  • maria affair
  • jorge rubio
  • breakup
  • airport call
  • florida plans
Q2

Why was Javier suspended from the hospital?

After his breakup with Maria, Javier couldn't concentrate and accidentally injured a patient during surgery. The hospital determined he was unfit to work until he regained his focus and addressed his emotional issues. This professional crisis forced him to confront his personal turmoil.

Foreshadowing: The injury occurs because Javier's emotional state has been compromised since receiving Maria's phone call.

  • patient injury
  • hospital suspension
  • cardiac surgeon
  • emotional breakdown
Q3

What happened to the fish Javier named after himself?

The fish Javier named after himself died shortly after Maria left him. This event symbolized the death of his hopes and dreams for his marriage, adding to his emotional despair. The surviving fish becomes a final connection to his lost life with Maria.

Foreshadowing: The fish were purchased as a playful symbol of the couple's united future, making their death meaningful.

  • goldfish
  • pet shop
  • symbolism
  • loss
  • maria
Q4

How did Javier meet Julia?

Javier first saw Julia at the pet shop when he and Maria bought the goldfish, though they didn't connect then. He later encountered her again at the movies, and she tried to talk to him, but he was unavailable. After his breakup, he returned to the pet shop and they struck up a friendship that eventually blossomed into romance.

Foreshadowing: Julia's initial appearance at the pet shop and movie theater establishes her as a lingering presence in Javier's future.

  • julia
  • pet shop
  • second chance
  • romance
  • new love
Q5

Why did Javier keep Pimpton the dog even though she was pregnant?

When the pet shop owner offered to buy Pimpton, Javier chose to keep her despite the complications. Julia gave him her number to help with any dog-related issues, which became an excuse for them to stay in contact. The decision to keep Pimpton created opportunities for Javier and Julia to bond over the upcoming puppies.

Foreshadowing: Javier's decision to keep Pimpton mirrors his eventual decision to move forward with a new life rather than cling to the past.

  • pimpton
  • dog
  • puppies
  • pregnant
  • pet shop
  • julia
Q6

What prompted Javier to start dating after his breakup?

Javier's mother encouraged him to stop using his little black book of pickup lines and open up emotionally. He attempted to reconnect with ex-girlfriends, but his date with Gabi Rincon revealed he wasn't ready for casual dating. Eventually, he met Lola in the park for a one-night stand, which helped him realize he needed more time to heal before pursuing a serious relationship.

Foreshadowing: The failed dates show Javier repeatedly trying to fill the void left by Maria before he's truly ready.

  • dating
  • ex-girlfriends
  • gabi rincon
  • lola
  • healing
  • emotional journey
Q7

Why did Julia leave the party when Maria called?

During an intimate moment with Javier, Maria called to say her father had a heart attack and was in the hospital. Javier agreed to help and offered to pick Maria up at the airport. Julia overheard this conversation and quietly left the party, feeling uncertain about where she stood in Javier's life and whether he would choose his ex-wife over her.

Foreshadowing: This moment tests whether Javier will remain tethered to his past with Maria or commit to his future with Julia.

  • maria call
  • hospital
  • heart attack
  • julia leaves
  • jealousy
  • choice
Q8

What was in the letter Maria sent to Javier?

Maria wrote a heartfelt letter apologizing for her affair and explaining that she loves Javier deeply and wants to come back to him. She had written it but never sent it until that moment. The letter represented her attempt to reconcile after seeing Javier's professional success and emotional growth.

Foreshadowing: The letter arrives as a final test of Javier's commitment to moving forward.

  • maria letter
  • apology
  • affair
  • reconciliation
  • love confession
Q9

Why did Javier choose Julia over Maria?

After reading Maria's letter, Javier realized he had already moved on emotionally. When he met Maria at the airport, he told her "It's not you, It's me", reversing her earlier phrase, to explain that his heart now belonged to someone else. He then rushed to find Julia and declared "She's right here," confirming his choice to build a new life with her.

Foreshadowing: Javier's journey through grief, healing, and new love has prepared him to make this definitive choice.

  • javier chooses julia
  • airport scene
  • its not you its me
  • new beginning
  • love choice
Q10

What does the ending imply about Javier's future?

The ending shows Javier building a life with Julia, her young son Pedrito, Pimpton, and her litter of puppies. This represents a family formed not by accident or default, but by deliberate choice and emotional growth. The final scene emphasizes ordinary joys, shared meals, and a sense of belonging that Javier finally achieved after grieving his lost marriage.

Foreshadowing: The film closes with the same hopeful tone established by the goldfish symbolism, but now fulfilled through a blended family.

  • ending
  • family
  • pedrito
  • puppies
  • new life
  • blended family
  • happy ending

Movie threads

More Movies Like It’s Not You, It’s Me, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes It’s Not You, It’s Me tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about healing after loss like It’s Not You, It’s Me

Stories that navigate profound grief and slowly find a path to new beginnings. If you liked the journey from grief to hope in It’s Not You, It’s Me, you'll appreciate these movies. This collection features stories where characters rebuild their lives after a tragedy, focusing on emotional healing, personal growth, and finding a happy ending after a period of sorrow.

  • healing
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • reflective
  • gentle
  • introspective
  • Tone: melancholic, hopeful, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows a protagonist who experiences a major loss early on, plunging them into a period of grief and confusion. The story then unfolds in a steady, linear fashion, depicting small steps forward, new connections, and moments of reflection that cumulatively lead them out of despair and toward a brighter, renewed future.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a specific emotional arc: they balance the weight of genuine sorrow with a fundamentally hopeful tone. They offer a viewing experience that is cathartic and uplifting, proving that joy can be rediscovered after heartbreak.

Gentle rebuilding romance movies like It’s Not You, It’s Me

Quiet romances where love blossoms slowly while rebuilding a life. For viewers who enjoyed the gentle, healing romance in It’s Not You, It’s Me, this list highlights similar stories. Discover movies where a new, meaningful love story develops at a steady pace, providing comfort and a sense of new beginnings for a character recovering from loss.

  • gentle
  • romantic
  • hopeful
  • healing
  • steady
  • comforting
  • Tone: hopeful, gentle, romantic
  • Pacing: steady, linear
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot often involves a character who is emotionally closed off due to a past heartbreak. The new romance is introduced not as an instant fix, but as a supportive presence that grows alongside the protagonist's own healing. The relationship's development is intertwined with themes of personal growth, making the eventual happy ending feel deeply satisfying and well-deserved.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their specific approach to romance: it is a calming, restorative force rather than a source of high drama. The pacing is steady, the tone is hopeful, and the focus is on emotional connection and building a new life together, making them comforting and uplifting watches.

Every angle

It’s Not You, It’s Me (2010) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about It’s Not You, It’s Me in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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