Valentín

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.

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!

I didn't suspect this movie to be good, because the dutch producer Laurens Geels produced it and I usually don't like his films. But this one was a sweet surprise! The whole film has this brilliant feel-good-movie athmosphere...and you just don't want this film to end. Rodrigo Noya is one of the most brilliant young actors among us, I was totally crazy about his character. I can't wait to see the next Agresti film! By the way, this is an absolute OSCAR-winner for this year!(or maybe Goodbye Lenin?)mmmmhhhh.....we'll see!

This is one of the very few movies I really love these past couple of years. Rodrigo Noya's Valentin is such a smart, funny and sad 8 year old boy. Everything he says gives you a smile and a little twist in the heart. He's like the old lady who lives alone and says she doesn't mind being alone but asks you to stay a little longer because she's baked dozens of cookies which nobody will eat. Rodrigo Noya is such an excellent actor that every nuance is caught thought his expressions, body language. The adults around him all act selfishly, but it's so realistic because we all are self-centered beings, and children sometimes are just treated like things that happened to be there. I love this movie so much I am recommending it to every people I know.

Valentin is one cute, smart-mouthed kid. You can't help but love him, especially in his young Beatles 60s getup. Yes, at times he talks and acts much older than his age, but that's what's intended to make his character so humorous. Valentin is the Amelie Poulin of the Latin younger set, and just as adorable as Kolya, the Cinema Paradiso kid, and the Life is Beautiful kid. And Buenos Aires is displayed beautifully in this movie. If only Valentin was in wider release in the States. No one knows about it, but many would enjoy this very charming, warm-hearted movie, that reminds us of the innocence of our own youth and how we tried to decipher and improve the world in our own small way.