Valentin

The tagline on a ridiculously misleading print ad for Pavel Chukhraj's utterly unromantic and depressing "The Thief" (1997) read, "He'll steal your heart!" While not altogether apt, that phrase would apply much better to "Valentin." Alejandro Agresti's mildly sappy film steals its way into the story of the 10-year-old title character (Rodrigo Noya) living in Argentina with his widowed, forever-mourning grandmother (Carmen Maura), enduring the occasional anticlimactic visit from his heartless father (Agresti), and wondering why his mother so abruptly deserted the family years before.

What necessitates that "Valentin" be set in 1969? Aside from the throwaway references to Che Guevara and space exploration, the production could easily have been set in the modern day, saving a pretty penny by removing the need for renting antique cars. Even more conspicuously throwaway is the film's exploration of anti-Semitism. It's hard to recall a picture that deals with Argentinian Jews; had Agresti taken a more than cursory look at that idea, "Valentin" might have resonated instead of being a humdrum coming-of-age piece.

But it's not all bad. There are some compelling and appealing scenes in "Valentin" involving the boy and his father's new fiancée (Julieta Cardinali), who initiates a meeting to get to know him. Like any self-respecting 10-year-old, he first and foremost wants her to be pretty, and my, how he gets his wish. Not only is she easy on the eyes, but her genuine interest in and straightforwardness with the kid quickly bring him out of his shell. It's an inspired connection, surprisingly believable despite its adult manner. Agresti skillfully, tastefully depicts pre-adolescent yearning for both maternal and physical ideals--a less creepy Oedipal complex--by presenting simultaneously vaguely sexual undertones and mother-figure longing. But these scenes are ultimately too few and far between. The majority of "Valentin" tugs all too obviously on the heartstrings of the more easily moved, resulting in a film that seems much longer than its scant running time. Starring Rodrigo Noya, Carmen Maura and Julieta Cardinali. Directed and written by Alejandro Agresti. Produced by Thierry Forte, Laurens Geels and Pablo Wisznia. A Miramax release. Drama. Spanish-language; subtitled. Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and language. Running time: 83 min