Well I had no film, and I tried a bra which I hated as you can't put it on without the front being clean and then it may discolour so on my IM I have Xpel film.
It's better but not perfect as it also chips after a while and while blemishes can be a pain I know they can make some patched to it as well.
In the end after X years, 5 for mine and it is still looking ok, you get to change it. You might discover that you need to touch some spots on the paint at that time.
I try to leave a lot of space especially when I follow cars but especially larger vehicles and truck. It never fails when I see a truck carrying granular empty something always falls off it when he hits a bump. The guy has no headspace to think about cleaning the truck before he leaves his dump site.
I read some thread were the guy had the car for 30-50 years and restored it 3 times 
Keep driving it.
FU, What horror stories did you hear about Xpel film? Once you have it I think you need to put another on or repaint the car but I am ok with putting another one on. My only regret is that I should have done the whole front. So I only have a line across the fender area, mid way, but my whole hood is completely done and all the front going down even the bumper is done as we removed all the front bling and re-installed after. My vote is for Xpel any day.