Valentin

One of the many stylistic distinctions of this outwardly modest production is the complex voice that the filmmaker has found for his young hero.

Quietly, with pathos and tinges of melancholy humor, Valentin pays homage to the heroism of creating your own world when the one that's on offer breaks your heart.

A well-cast drama that switches between sweetness and menace, the film goes down easily, thanks to a talented cast.

His constant chatter may grate, but Noya does the wide-eyed wonderment thing very well.

The wrap-up feels tacked-on and too good to be true, with emotions the story really hasn't earned.

The characters in the Argentinean heart-warmer Valentín spend so much time squabbling and yelling that after a while I began to long for a nice movie about a family of mutes.

Agresti's just out to give us a sentimental good time. Which some people, heaven help us, will have -- while the rest of us choke on the cutesiness.