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.

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.

A melancholy and overly familiar thing.

Writer/director Alejandro Agresti proves adept at reminding us that everybody's heart is a nation-state unto itself.

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Hilarious and genuinely touching.

Occasionally charming, but it's as manipulative as it is heartfelt.

An affecting coming-of-age story with universal appeal.

For most of its running time Valentin rambles along in the same gear, providing few highs or lows and generating any real emotional excitement only in the last reel, by which time you've either fallen for the kid or zoned out.

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.