Moved from its original thread.

El Perro (2004) Bombon El Perro

Directed by Carlos Sorin

Starring Juan Villegas, Gregorio

An offbeat and optimistic road movie which like Historias Minimas from the same director is set in the wide-open plains of Patagonia. Juan (or Coco to his friends) has been sacked from his job as a garage attendant/mechanic after 20 odd years when it is sold, he lives with his daughter, her children and her feeble husband desperately trying to help make ends meet. 

After helping a stranded motorist, hes offered a pedigree Dogo in thanks and suddenly his life turns around! Thanks to some chance meetings, he gets together with a trainer and Bombon is entered and comes third in a dog show. Bombon is requested for studding duties but for some reason, hes not up to it so Coco leaves him with the trainer hoping he can sort out this little problem.

But Coca has become very attached to Bombon, he misses him so much that he goes to retrieve him only to find that Bombon has run away, the story then follows Cocos efforts to find him.

This is a very positive film, when we first meet Coco hes at his wits end and is pretty demoralised. Apart from trying to help his daughter hes also looking for work in an area that has very little to offer, especially for someone his age. Hope comes in the form of Bombon and surprising new options open up for Coco, the life that was drained flows back and despite his success with the dog show and the money to be made from studding, Coco remains down to earth and unassuming, just happier with life.

The performances are very natural, once again most of the cast aren't professioal actors. The wide and wild expanses of the Pategonian plains are shown in their full glory and the dog is a true performer. Bombon El Perro (as it has been marketed in the UK) is definitely worth at least a rental. If you enjoyed Historias Minimas I have no doubt at all that you will also enjoy this.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated 15.

R2 Pal dvd available from Pathe, loaded with extras.