Valentin (2002)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Blistering performances.

On 1969, in Argentina, the eight years old Valentin (Rodrigo Noya) is a boy that dreams to be an astronaut. He is raised by his poor widow grandmother Abuela (Carmen Maura), and is totally abandoned by his parents. His mother has apparently forgotten him, and his stupid father does not pay much attention on him. The smart, but needy kid missed his mother, and when his father introduces his new girlfriend Leticia (Julieta Cardinali), Valentin has a strong connection with her. Meanwhile his grandmother gets sick, and the boy tries to resolve all his family problems using his persuasion and viewpoint of life. "Valentine" is a sweet, cute and delightful tale of a young negotiator that wanted to be an astronaut. I am not sure whether Rodrigo Noya is a great actor or not, but in this particular and peculiar role he is simply amazing. Carmen Maura is fantastic as usual, and the unknown Julieta Cardinali has a very beautiful participation. The story makes the viewer laugh and certainly will bring tears so touching and sensitive it is. This movie was one of the greatest good surprises for me and I really loved it. The scene of Valentin negotiating with the doctor in the hospital to see his grandmother in the market is one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen in cinema. Unfortunately life is not as beautiful as pictured in this remarkable scene. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil) "Valentin"

Hollywood filmmakers could learn plenty from this marvelous little film from Argentina.Rodrigo Noya is utterly charming and captivating as the title character, a 9-year-old boy who builds stuff for astronauts and whose attitude toward life and love is more adult than many of the adults in his life, including his father.Director Alejandro Agresti's script is clever, humorous and poignant, yet, never becomes maudlin. Even a key moment in the story is deftly handled without an ounce of sentimentality. A Hollywood film most likely would have milked that scene dry with a melodramatic score and character histrionics."Valentín" is a celebration of childhood innocence. But it's also about how lessons learned as a young boy shape the adult man he is to become. There are moments in this film written so smartly you appreciate Agresti's talent. For instance, Valentin's scenes with Leticia are funny because of the way the two actors play the scenes so naturally, their dialogue and actions make perfect sense. Or, listen to the conversation between Valentin and his neighbor when they discuss the neighbor's ex-girlfriend over a cup of tea.And the film's ending? A perfect close to a lovely story. Do yourself a favor and see this brilliant gem.

This was terribly disappointing. I looked forward to seeing this greatly but the sentimentality of it was horrendous. It never missed an opportunity to be saccharine-sweet and this became intensely irritating. Appended to the fact that there is no plot and is merely one twee scene followed by another makes this a very disappointing experience. Not good. Surely, we must evolve beyond the cute kid being cute kind of movie. How about some realism rather than just aiming for the tear-jerking (or giggling hysterically, if you're me) moments of cute kid trying to survive in a world of ignorant adults. That point has been made so many times: it doesn't need to be told again

What a relief. What a movie. What a simple and beautiful message. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Why is it so hard to find a movie like this? Never too sentimental, never cheesy, but full of fantasy and realism at the same time. How does he do it? I can only say... go see it!