One of the many stylistic distinctions of this outwardly modest production is the complex voice that the filmmaker has found for his young hero.
70
The Hollywood ReporterSheri Linden
The Hollywood ReporterSheri Linden
With charm to spare, Valentin fuses nostalgia and humor in an episodic story whose ultimate focus is the birth of a writer.
63
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
As a whole, Valentin is a moderately entertaining motion picture, but the lack of a satisfying sense of closure dims its appeal.
60
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Agresti has more on his mind than tugging at heartstrings.
58
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Agresti fattens us up with the kind of kid's-eye-view tragi-comic adventures that regularly supply empty calories in artificially sweetened foreign-language imports.
50
VarietyDeborah Young
VarietyDeborah Young
The choice to have Valentin narrate the tale and make philosophical observations beyond his years becomes irritating at times; ditto the cartoon humor.
50
Village Voice
Village Voice
Argentinean director Alejandro Agresti's own specs are rose-colored. This loosely autobiographical tale feels inorganically upbeat, with all potentially upsetting material glossed over or truncated.
40
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
It takes mere seconds for every charming moment to go from "Ahhh..." to "Aarrggh!"
40
L.A. WeeklyScott Foundas
L.A. WeeklyScott Foundas
It's not that Noya is bad as kid actors go, but a pair of dewy, crossed eyes and a beyond-his-years melancholy do not an entire movie make.