Meet ValentÃn (Rodrigo Noya): he's eight-years-old, mop-topped, and saddled with a pair of milk bottle top spectacles. He's also Argentina's greatest hope for space exploration. Or at least the NASA-obsessed nipper would be if his family life wasn't such a mess. Living with his grandmother (Carmen Maura) while his divorced father philanders in the city, he's so fed up of being without a mum that he hatches a plan to play happy families in this frothy coming-of-age comedy.
"FULL OF CHEEKY CHARM"
In the title role, child actor Rodrigo Noya excels in what is only his second feature film appearance. Adorably cute, wise beyond his years and more than a little geeky, he's also - as his name suggests - a real sweetheart. Full of cheeky charm, his rambling voiceover holds the film together with wry insights into the absurd world of grown-ups.
In a desperate attempt to have a normal family life ValentÃn decides to play Cupid and meets his dad's new girlfriend, Leticia (Julieta Cardinali), a blonde sex bomb who ValentÃn instantly falls in love with. But he accidentally puts his foot in it, scaring her off by revealing what his father's really like before he's convinced her to be his new mother.
An autobiographical tale from Argentinian director Alejandro Agresti (who rather curiously decides to star as ValentÃn's insensitive, womanising father), this charming film falls or stands on how adorable you find its central character. Set in the 60s just after the death of revolutionary leader Ché Guevera in Bolivia, it's a film that's happier evoking the past than actually commenting on it. It passes up on the chance to explore its deeper themes about lost ideals in favour of delivering the requisite feelgood vibe. A sugary confection, ValentÃn won't give you much to chew over but it's delicious while it lasts.
In Spanish with English subtitles.
ValentÃn (2004)
