All this is very familiar. First day I had the car I couldn't open the off side front catch. I pushed so hard it broke off
Back to the dealer pronto for a quick repair and he showed me the method that has worked for me ever since. Undo the rear catches first, then the front. Push down parallel to the slope of the bonnet (NOT vertically). Push with the heel of the right palm, at the same time keeping first two fingers of the left hand under the chrome catch, which allows you to pull it away the moment you feel the "push" has been effective,
