By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Carlos Saurin
Starring: Juan Villegas | Rosa Valsecchi | Walter Donado
Original language title: El Perro
Country: argentina, spain
Year: 2006
Running time: 97
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420548/
Bruce says: “EL PERRO (sometimes advertised as BOMBON, EL PERRO) is a delightful film. Set in Patagonia, the story is paper thin but the sentiment is sincere thanks to a lovely performance by Juan Villegas. He plays Coco, an aging mechanic who has lost his job, does not love his wife, is dismissed by his daughter and desperately needs a purpose in life. Coco has a gentle smile which draws in the viewer from the very first moment he appears on screen. Yet Coco is slightly more complex than a first impression reveals. Although he personifies hope and joy both are enveloped in profound melancholy.
“Coco’s salvation arrives in the form of a dog named Bombon. He receives the dog as a reward for being a Good Samaritan after helping a woman when her car breaks down. Once Bombon becomes part of Coco’s life, his fortunes slowly change. Shortly thereafter, Coco meets a sleazy scam artist, who knows his canines and recognizes the potential in showing and breeding the dog. About the same time that it becomes evident that Bombon is a shy breeder, romance becomes a possibility for Coco when
he meets an aging cabaret singer.
“Are Bombon’s breeding problems metaphorical? How can Coco escape from the man who taught him about dog shows and breeding? The balance of the story revolves around resuscitating libidos and gaining freedom.
“EL PERRO is a story of a man whom the modern age has almost passed by. Coco has minimal skills, limited education and little sophistication. Fate rescues him from falling into the cracks of society, disappearing from the functional world. EL PERRO is a coming of age story, one that reminds us that certain rites of passage aren’t always linked to one’s biological clock.
“Director Carlos Sorin’s simplistic style is reminiscent of last year’s WHISKY from neighboring Uruguay. His use of non professional actors is a wise choice for his simple tale. 4 cats”