Valentin (2002)

61% of critics liked it
(66 reviews)
91% of users liked it
(4,712 ratings)

A coming of age story told through the eyes of a precocious 10-year old boy who lives with his grandmother in turbulent 1969 Argentina. Estranged from his eccentric parents, young Valentin yearns for a real family and dreams about being an astronaut. He befriends a recluse neighbor, forms an… More A coming of age story told through the eyes of a precocious 10-year old boy who lives with his grandmother in turbulent 1969 Argentina. Estranged from his eccentric parents, young Valentin yearns for a real family and dreams about being an astronaut. He befriends a recluse neighbor, forms an unlikely friendship with one of his father's many ex-girlfriends and sets out to discover the harsh realities about his parents, all the while bringing joy and wisdom into the lives of the adults around him.

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Alejandro Agresti
Written By: Alejandro Agresti
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: May 7, 2004 Limited
On DVD: Oct 12, 2004
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
A melancholy and overly familiar thing.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Occasionally charming, but it's as manipulative as it is heartfelt.
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Sporting thick, black-rimmed glasses, a runaway imagination and enough nervous energy to light up Manhattan, Noya turns what could have been a pitiful character into a rambunctious imp.
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The winsome child/unappreciative adults memoir is almost a genre unto itself. But this version is particularly well-cast and well-told.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Agresti has a decent cast here, but his story is so thin, it threatens to float right off the screen, even when late plot developments add a twist or two.
Tom Long, Detroit News
A child's film for adults.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
Valentín joins an ever-lengthening list of films about children from broken families. No better or worse than most, it boasts Almodóvar favorite Maura, who is splendid, as always. Agresti also does a fine job as the father.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Whether you ease into the languid and semi-treacly flow of this big-hearted Argentinean import or instead scoff at the child's-eye platitudes contained within will have much to do with your tolerance of preposterously cute moppets in dire straits.
James Plath, Reel.com
Though the film covers familiar ground, this premature coming-of-age tale moves forward with grace and dignity
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
I love the color blue on the DVD cover but were the haloes-not to mention the tagline "Cupid Just Turned Eight"-really necessary?
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
Writer/director Alejandro Agresti proves adept at reminding us that everybody's heart is a nation-state unto itself.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

I expected to really love this movie...but I found it just passable as a decent film. The young boy was adorable, and this movie revolves around his thoughts, and ideas. The opening hour is mostly Valentin's own voice-over monologue, setting up his character, and his predicament,… More
I expected to really love this movie...but I found it just passable as a decent film. The young boy was adorable, and this movie revolves around his thoughts, and ideas. The opening hour is mostly Valentin's own voice-over monologue, setting up his character, and his predicament, without much story progression. Things come together into something of a small story during the final twenty minutes, with a resolution that is bittersweet. The ending was cute, but feasible? ...maybe in those times, and in that country?
Eliza N

'El sueño de Valentín' was a pleasant surprise. Enjoyable,funny,with authentic acting ,were some of the most certain things the movie offers . This unique story is about the decisions and the life adults make, ' judged ' and watched close by an 8 year old child.… More
'El sueño de Valentín' was a pleasant surprise. Enjoyable,funny,with authentic acting ,were some of the most certain things the movie offers . This unique story is about the decisions and the life adults make, ' judged ' and watched close by an 8 year old child. Definitely a must watch!
Anthony L

I absolutely adore this film. Little Rodrigo Noya does a great job and was overlooked at various award ceremonies! It?s a crime this film isn't better known as it easily one of the best in the last ten, maybe even twenty years! Absolutely brilliant!
Dannielle A

It was such a sweet movie. I confess I was crying.