Valentín (2002/I)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Alejandro Agresti

Writer:

Alejandro Agresti (writer)

Release Date:

15 January 2003 (Belgium)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Cupid just turned eight.

Plot:

An 8-year-old boy, raised by his grandmother, is surrounded by problems in his family he finds only himself capable of solving.

Plot Keywords:

Grandmother | Little Boy | Family Abandonment | Separation

Awards:

13 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Rodrigo Noya	...	Valentín
Carmen Maura	...	Abuela
Julieta Cardinali	...	Leticia
Jean Pierre Noher	...	El tío Chiche
Mex Urtizberea	...	Rufo
Lorenzo Quinteros	...	Hombre del bar
Alejandro Agresti	...	El padre
Carlos Roffé	...	Dr. Galaburri
Marina Glezer	...	La maestra
Stéfano Di Gregorio	...	Roberto
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fabián Vena	...	El cura

Also Known As:

Valentin (Canada: English title) (International: English title) (Italy) (Netherlands) (USA)
El sueño de Valentín (Spain)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and language.

Runtime:

86 min | Canada:79 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Argentina | Netherlands | France | Italy | Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:G | Finland:S | Argentina:Atp | Belgium:KT | Ireland:PG | Italy:T | Netherlands:AL | Spain:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Company:

Castelao Producciones

Trivia:

Inspired by one of director Alejandro Agresti's childhood memories, when he spent a day with one of his father's girlfriends, going to the cinema and to the park.

A valentine to childhood

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.