Movie Friday

I had the pleasure of seeing an amazing film from Argentina this week.

Set in 1969, Valentin is the story of a ten year old boy who lives with his affectionate, but fussy grandmother. His biggest dreams in life are to become an astronaut and to have a family. His mother left when he was very young and his father is too busy to be bothered with taking care of his son. At ten, Valentin is precocious and curious. He is remarkably astute for his age and he does a good job with the cards that he has been dealt. As the film progresses, he strives to make up for the emptiness he feels inside. As a child, he doesn't really have the power to affect such change, but he does the best he can. He was a survivor way before Destiny's Child coined the phrase.

I have been trying to pinpoint exactly why this film spoke to me so deeply. The little boy who plays Valentin (Rodrigo Noya) is radiant. He embodies and humanizes this brave young man in such a magnificent and extraordinary way. The other important major player in this film is the beautiful country of Argentina. I have been to Argentina several times and the architecture and look and feel of the country are difficult to describe. Natives of Buenos Aires refer to it as the Paris of South America, but I don't see Paris. The colors are warm to slightly worn, the architecture and construction is always with dark warm woods, and the cobblestone streets and shops give it a definite European feel, maybe more Italian? Much of Argentina looks like a scene out of Evita. Argentinians have a strong pride in their country and a clearly defined attitude and posh accent which may be where the reference to Paris and the French came from. In any case, it provides a beautiful palate for this film and the characters which inhabit it.

I have a strong attraction to melancholy films such as this. I suppose it relates to my misunderstood childhood growing up fat, gay, and unhappy in a rural environment where no one really got me. I was definitely the pink flamingo in the duck pond. My depression era parents were great and provided me with everything I needed, but they didn't get me on some levels. Films like this take me back to that time in my life and there's a certain sadness attached with that period. Thankfully, my life as an adult is a much happier and more fulfilling time.

This film is a magnificent film and you should all put in on your Netflix lists ASAP. Have a great weekend!

Cuidate.