Three people set off on different journeys through Patagonia to the distant town of San Julian. There's an old man with failing eyesight hitchhiking to find his lost dog Badface, an obsessive traveling salesman trying to win a young widow with a birthday cake for his son which he keeps changing to make more perfect, and a simple impoverished woman traveling to find out if she can bring home a prize from a television game show. The minutely observed characters, mostly non-professional actors, are endearing, honest and fascinating with their Argentinean reserve and kindness that bridge the vast Patagonian landscape. Probably the weirdest road movie since the Straight Story and with a feelgood factor that is genuine and unpretentious. It tells of the importance of small events in lives very removed from our own.
31 Reviews
Three lonelinesses in Patagonian loneliness.
hkesselm11 January 2003
The movie can be seen as a road-movie in the loneliness of the province of Santa Cruz, in South Patagonia.
Each one of the three chief characters, with different kinds of loneliness, look for a light in their future: María, a very poor woman living in an abandoned railway station, is selected for take part in a TV prize program; Don Justo, an old man, looks for his dog lost years ago; Roberto, a road seller of goods, tries to gain the love of a young widow customer. Three simple stories that touch the heart of people because their emotiveness and humor.
This is the second movie of Carlos Sorin in the windy and desert Patagonia ("La Pelicula del Rey" was the former one).
Each one of the three chief characters, with different kinds of loneliness, look for a light in their future: María, a very poor woman living in an abandoned railway station, is selected for take part in a TV prize program; Don Justo, an old man, looks for his dog lost years ago; Roberto, a road seller of goods, tries to gain the love of a young widow customer. Three simple stories that touch the heart of people because their emotiveness and humor.
This is the second movie of Carlos Sorin in the windy and desert Patagonia ("La Pelicula del Rey" was the former one).
Clear, plausible stories
doc_flunder14 October 2003
This little film has everything you need: slightly odd and likeable characters, small everyday stories that turn out to be grand, and a vast, beautiful landscape. HISTORIAS MINIMAS proves that a small budget is enough to make a great film. All you need is believable actors, talented guys behind the camera and a decent script. If you don't mind watching undubbed originals with subtitles and if films like ABOUT SCHMIDT, THE STRAIGHT STORY or ZUGVÖGEL - EINMAL NACH INARI worked for you, HISTORIAS MINIMAS will become one of your favorites soon.
"The Straight Story" Latino-style...
wmcginty13 August 2003
"Historias Minimas" is a simple yet delightful tale, which follows three different people at different stages of their life (young mother Maria, middle-aged salesman Roberto and elderly shopowner Justo) who each doggedly pursue a dream, in a journey that will take them all to the same place.
The film, comparable to David Lynch's "The Straight Story", is a joy from start to finish. The cinematography is astounding, perfectly illustrating the barren beauty of the Patagonian plains, whereas the lead actors (particularly Roberto and Justo) give phenomenally realistic and warm performances. Most of the actors are non-professionals, and the discomfort of some of the actors in smaller roles is obvious, but this just adds to the film's overall charm.
Most importantly, however, I loved this film as it is a completely uncynical testament to the warmth of the human spirit. In it, our trio are helped along the way by complete strangers who ask for nothing in return. If only it were like that all the time...
A must-see.
The film, comparable to David Lynch's "The Straight Story", is a joy from start to finish. The cinematography is astounding, perfectly illustrating the barren beauty of the Patagonian plains, whereas the lead actors (particularly Roberto and Justo) give phenomenally realistic and warm performances. Most of the actors are non-professionals, and the discomfort of some of the actors in smaller roles is obvious, but this just adds to the film's overall charm.
Most importantly, however, I loved this film as it is a completely uncynical testament to the warmth of the human spirit. In it, our trio are helped along the way by complete strangers who ask for nothing in return. If only it were like that all the time...
A must-see.
Intimate Histories
Red-12511 March 2006
Historias mínimas (2002), directed by Carlos Sorin, was shown at Rochester's Dryden Theatre as "Intimate Histories." This film is a small, excellent road movie.
The road is a well-paved but barren stretch of highway between a small village in Patagonia and a larger city. Four people are traveling this road--a young mother with her infant son, an older man, and a traveling salesman. The young mother is going to appear on a televised quiz show. The older man is searching for his dog, and the salesman hopes to impress an attractive widow with his thoughtful gift of a birthday cake for her son.
The stories--and travels--of these people intertwine as they get closer to their destination. Nothing goes exactly as planned, but each character deals with her or his situation in a reasonably successful way.
I was struck by the caring and concern that strangers show for the travelers. I wonder if this is a realistic portrayal of life in Patagonia. If so, it may represent the good side of a frontier mentality--nature isn't going to help us, and the government isn't going to help us, so we have to help each other. (In fact, the only non-helpful people the travelers encounter are the television quiz show staff. The implication could be that once you step away from reality and into show business, kindness disappears.)
All the acting was excellent. The actors appeared to be amateurs, and it takes a skilled director to bring forth great performances from non- professionals. I want to single out the performance of Antonio Benedicti as Don Justo Benedictis, the older man. Don Justo is determined to find his dog, and the sheer power of this determination (along with a supply of yerba mate) carries him forward.
Another reviewer has called this film a small gem, and I agree. It's worth seeking out if you'd enjoy following four people in their difficult Patagonian odysseys.
The road is a well-paved but barren stretch of highway between a small village in Patagonia and a larger city. Four people are traveling this road--a young mother with her infant son, an older man, and a traveling salesman. The young mother is going to appear on a televised quiz show. The older man is searching for his dog, and the salesman hopes to impress an attractive widow with his thoughtful gift of a birthday cake for her son.
The stories--and travels--of these people intertwine as they get closer to their destination. Nothing goes exactly as planned, but each character deals with her or his situation in a reasonably successful way.
I was struck by the caring and concern that strangers show for the travelers. I wonder if this is a realistic portrayal of life in Patagonia. If so, it may represent the good side of a frontier mentality--nature isn't going to help us, and the government isn't going to help us, so we have to help each other. (In fact, the only non-helpful people the travelers encounter are the television quiz show staff. The implication could be that once you step away from reality and into show business, kindness disappears.)
All the acting was excellent. The actors appeared to be amateurs, and it takes a skilled director to bring forth great performances from non- professionals. I want to single out the performance of Antonio Benedicti as Don Justo Benedictis, the older man. Don Justo is determined to find his dog, and the sheer power of this determination (along with a supply of yerba mate) carries him forward.
Another reviewer has called this film a small gem, and I agree. It's worth seeking out if you'd enjoy following four people in their difficult Patagonian odysseys.
The most wonderful end of the world
susanneigler15 December 2003
An excellent movie from the most spectacular end of the world, Patagonia, which tells in a slow pace short, unspectacular but very humane stories of every day life: the ways of four protagonists - Don Justo is the most touching old man seen on the screen in a long time - cross in Puerto San Julian, the province capital, which is still just a handful of wind-shaken houses on the scenic coast. Poetic landscape, impressing actors, human touch - a must-see, not only for Patagonia fans.
Long on atmosphere and patient observation but low on energy
Chris Knipp18 April 2005
"Not exactly the most earth-shattering entry from the Argentinean new wave," the "Voice's" David Ng politely commented when the film debuted recently in New York, three years after release, also noting its "abundant wisdom and patient humanism." True: humanism and patience do go together, and this film is notable for its attentive but unsentimental focus. But since the pace is truly glacial and the conclusions are flat you may want to avoid "Intimate Stories" -- unless the mere thought of Patagonia raises your blood pressure. You do get by some kind of osmosis a sense of what it's like to be in this remote part of the settled world, with its bare landscapes and long stretches of nothingness reaching up to the sky along a flat horizon. God was in a minimalist period when He created Patagonia.
The distributors sexed up Argentinian Carlos Sorin's modest title "Minimal Stories" by calling them "Intimate," but they're really tiny and evoke film's affinity for the short story. Not a lot really happens here, though we're made to appreciate that in the wastes of Patagonia where the events transpire a little bit goes a long way.
The people in "Intimate Stories," only one of whom is a professional actor, seem wonderfully authentic and so do the sometimes seedy, sometimes gemütlich local backgrounds. These include pastry shops, restaurants, a remote compound -- if in Patagonia the word "remote" isn't already redundant -- where men eat drink and play guitars, and the tackiest TV game show you've ever seen (in such a studiously neutral movie the latter sequence seems a tad overdrawn).
There are three threads (à la "Amores Perros") involving three people on separate treks from the town of Fitz Roy to the town of San Julián some 200 miles away: an old gent called Justo (Antonio Benedicti) goes hitchhiking to retrieve his lost dog, a young mother (María Javiera Bravo), has won a sweep stake and must be there to appear on a quiz show where she wins something she can't use, and a lonely traveling salesman (Roberto, Javier Lombardo, the pro) drives there delivering a cake to a lady customer whose son or daughter is having a birthday. I hope it's not revealing too much to tell you that when Roberto realizes the child's name, Rene, could be either a girl's or a boy's he has to stop midway to have the cake done over in more gender-neutral style. The luckiest chap is the oldster, who does come home with his pet. And we get to find out why the dog may have run off in the first place. We also learn the salesman's really rather shy and the housewife is, well, perhaps not too smart. There is sadness here, but it is viewed unsentimentally.
The filmmaker's previous work made thirteen years ago, "Eversmile, New Jersey" starred Daniel Day-Lewis as an itinerant dentist, also in Patagonia, and is said to have vanished almost as soon as it appeared.
(Seen at Cinema Village, New York City, March 24, 2005.) __________________
The distributors sexed up Argentinian Carlos Sorin's modest title "Minimal Stories" by calling them "Intimate," but they're really tiny and evoke film's affinity for the short story. Not a lot really happens here, though we're made to appreciate that in the wastes of Patagonia where the events transpire a little bit goes a long way.
The people in "Intimate Stories," only one of whom is a professional actor, seem wonderfully authentic and so do the sometimes seedy, sometimes gemütlich local backgrounds. These include pastry shops, restaurants, a remote compound -- if in Patagonia the word "remote" isn't already redundant -- where men eat drink and play guitars, and the tackiest TV game show you've ever seen (in such a studiously neutral movie the latter sequence seems a tad overdrawn).
There are three threads (à la "Amores Perros") involving three people on separate treks from the town of Fitz Roy to the town of San Julián some 200 miles away: an old gent called Justo (Antonio Benedicti) goes hitchhiking to retrieve his lost dog, a young mother (María Javiera Bravo), has won a sweep stake and must be there to appear on a quiz show where she wins something she can't use, and a lonely traveling salesman (Roberto, Javier Lombardo, the pro) drives there delivering a cake to a lady customer whose son or daughter is having a birthday. I hope it's not revealing too much to tell you that when Roberto realizes the child's name, Rene, could be either a girl's or a boy's he has to stop midway to have the cake done over in more gender-neutral style. The luckiest chap is the oldster, who does come home with his pet. And we get to find out why the dog may have run off in the first place. We also learn the salesman's really rather shy and the housewife is, well, perhaps not too smart. There is sadness here, but it is viewed unsentimentally.
The filmmaker's previous work made thirteen years ago, "Eversmile, New Jersey" starred Daniel Day-Lewis as an itinerant dentist, also in Patagonia, and is said to have vanished almost as soon as it appeared.
(Seen at Cinema Village, New York City, March 24, 2005.) __________________
The trip to San Julian
jotix1008 March 2005
Argentine director Carlos Sorin scores a triumph with this wonderful movie in which he, working with the brilliant script of Pablo Solarz, take us for a ride into that lonely area of the Argentina's Southern region of Patagonia.
If you haven't seen the film, perhaps you should stop reading.
The story brings together three lives into play. First there is the old Don Justo Benedictis, who we see at the beginning of the film being tested for glasses. He is at the end of his life, at the edge of senility, but still with a zest of life. He wants to make peace, perhaps before dying with his old dog that disappeared and according to a passerby, it's been seen at the entrance of San Julian, a town 200 miles away.
Then, there is Maria, the young woman employed in the local gas station, who evidently is from a neighboring country, perhaps Bolivia. Her best friend comes to tell her she has been named one of the finalists for the grand prize of a local television program. She has an infant and she objects to the trip because she can't leave the station unattended, but her friend insists she should go.
The third brief story is about Roberto. He is a traveling salesman on his way to San Julian to see the young widow he has been courting. It's going to be one of her young children's birthdays and he has ordered a cake in the shape of a football. Along the way to San Julian, doubt assaults Roberto. Suddenly he thinks that Rene, the name of the birthday child might not be a boy. What if it's a girl? Since he has the cake in the car, he wants to change it into something unisex. He is directed to the home of a kind woman who helps him change the football into a cute turtle.
This is basically the premise of this road movie. The emphasis is on Don Justo, who shows an uncanny sense of intelligence. He has seen a lot during his life. His story is the most tender of the three because we realize he will not be among us for a long time. Thus, his reunion with his dear lost dog becomes so poignant. Don Justo receives kindness from everyone he meets, including Roberto, who happens to take Don Justo in his car during the last part of the journey.
Roberto, also arrives at San Julian and finds the widow's house locked. All that traveling, just for nothing! Also, when he sees her return with the children, he sees a younger man with them and thinks all is lost for him. Maria, is seen at the television studio participating in the game in which she will win the top prize, but another contestant will get her to change her mind and give it to her in exchange of a more eye catching gift and money.
At the end we see Don Justo at the rear of the bus that is bringing him home with his dog by his feet. We also see Maria with her baby opening the prize she won in the contest. Roberto too, will find out how wrong he was thinking the young widow has a new interest. Yes, at the end is a happy one for all the three people we meet on the road.
This is, without a doubt, one of the best films to come out of Argentina in years. We watch people without complications take care of their problems in a positive way. The film is uplifting in that it shows us human situations about people we can relate to. They could have been our neighbors, or friends.
Mr. Sorin has extracted wonderful performances from all the people one sees in the film. The best being that of Antonio Benedicto, who steals one's heart with his portrayal of the older man, at the end of life, trying to make amends and be at peace with the world. Javier Lombardo, who plays Roberto, makes a tremendous impression with his effortless take on the salesman. Finally, Javiera Bravo, brings a certain naivete to her role as the unsophisticated woman who is now the center of attention.
Watch this excellent film with an open mind, as it will stay with the viewer for a long time to come.
If you haven't seen the film, perhaps you should stop reading.
The story brings together three lives into play. First there is the old Don Justo Benedictis, who we see at the beginning of the film being tested for glasses. He is at the end of his life, at the edge of senility, but still with a zest of life. He wants to make peace, perhaps before dying with his old dog that disappeared and according to a passerby, it's been seen at the entrance of San Julian, a town 200 miles away.
Then, there is Maria, the young woman employed in the local gas station, who evidently is from a neighboring country, perhaps Bolivia. Her best friend comes to tell her she has been named one of the finalists for the grand prize of a local television program. She has an infant and she objects to the trip because she can't leave the station unattended, but her friend insists she should go.
The third brief story is about Roberto. He is a traveling salesman on his way to San Julian to see the young widow he has been courting. It's going to be one of her young children's birthdays and he has ordered a cake in the shape of a football. Along the way to San Julian, doubt assaults Roberto. Suddenly he thinks that Rene, the name of the birthday child might not be a boy. What if it's a girl? Since he has the cake in the car, he wants to change it into something unisex. He is directed to the home of a kind woman who helps him change the football into a cute turtle.
This is basically the premise of this road movie. The emphasis is on Don Justo, who shows an uncanny sense of intelligence. He has seen a lot during his life. His story is the most tender of the three because we realize he will not be among us for a long time. Thus, his reunion with his dear lost dog becomes so poignant. Don Justo receives kindness from everyone he meets, including Roberto, who happens to take Don Justo in his car during the last part of the journey.
Roberto, also arrives at San Julian and finds the widow's house locked. All that traveling, just for nothing! Also, when he sees her return with the children, he sees a younger man with them and thinks all is lost for him. Maria, is seen at the television studio participating in the game in which she will win the top prize, but another contestant will get her to change her mind and give it to her in exchange of a more eye catching gift and money.
At the end we see Don Justo at the rear of the bus that is bringing him home with his dog by his feet. We also see Maria with her baby opening the prize she won in the contest. Roberto too, will find out how wrong he was thinking the young widow has a new interest. Yes, at the end is a happy one for all the three people we meet on the road.
This is, without a doubt, one of the best films to come out of Argentina in years. We watch people without complications take care of their problems in a positive way. The film is uplifting in that it shows us human situations about people we can relate to. They could have been our neighbors, or friends.
Mr. Sorin has extracted wonderful performances from all the people one sees in the film. The best being that of Antonio Benedicto, who steals one's heart with his portrayal of the older man, at the end of life, trying to make amends and be at peace with the world. Javier Lombardo, who plays Roberto, makes a tremendous impression with his effortless take on the salesman. Finally, Javiera Bravo, brings a certain naivete to her role as the unsophisticated woman who is now the center of attention.
Watch this excellent film with an open mind, as it will stay with the viewer for a long time to come.
Simple story, but...
enbalzamada24 May 2003
Yes, I felt warm with the taste oh the story, the likeness of the characters and the landscapes of the Patagonia. But, I´m really concerned with the simplicity of the performances, is very difficult to get a good characters, without characters. Everyone in our times wants to make something like this, simple, nice, a rural experience, but also is too dangerous, you should make something very mediocre, so, I don´t know, YES I LIKED but, Hey! It´s a movie, we need a something more limpid. I really enjoy the movie, and i want to discover some of the thematic background, about the story, specially the dog meaning.
Small jewel
ergalfi18 February 2005
This film is a small jewel, that although (Japón by Reygadas) falls in the tendency to focus in the apparently simple thing, routine, non important; it does in such a way that his director Carlos Sorin manages to communicate that what sublimes in our lives is in order counts that, with which we fought every day: remorse's, yearnings, illusions. Acclimated in one of the loneliest places of the world, the Patagonia, it films interlaces three histories, that pass slowly as walking of a turtle (in fact is reference to that animal), but which they show after all the essence of the human beings. Splendid performances of non famous Argentine actors which also is very refreshing. You do not let see it.
delicious, wonderful
khatcher-224 December 2005
A "road-movie" you might say, but so different, so poignant, delicate, intriguing, absorbing......... purely delicious.
Three parallel stories take place in the "cono sur" of Argentina, more or less known as "Patagonia" (people with big feet). This is indeed a wonderful combinations of stories, almost amateurish in its making, and thus so endearing, so heartening, the film holds you to the last minute. This is not a "made in USA" road-movie. Forget that. This has real human-beings, real story-line, so passionate, so balanced, so finely tuned and exquisite.
From such minimal ideas, such maximum images and stories emerge. I wonder if Hollywood will ever learn to make films?
Three parallel stories take place in the "cono sur" of Argentina, more or less known as "Patagonia" (people with big feet). This is indeed a wonderful combinations of stories, almost amateurish in its making, and thus so endearing, so heartening, the film holds you to the last minute. This is not a "made in USA" road-movie. Forget that. This has real human-beings, real story-line, so passionate, so balanced, so finely tuned and exquisite.
From such minimal ideas, such maximum images and stories emerge. I wonder if Hollywood will ever learn to make films?
a puzzle of fascinating characters
oplatka30 April 2006
Many commentators before me use the word 'charming'. That's just it. A warm human film, rather focused on the people in it than on the story. I kept being reminded of Kaurismäki. Not only the slow pace, but the poverty, the loneliness, the stubbornness and the engaging warmth and love of the persons are similar. Each character has its 'style' or 'attribute'. Almost as in an 'étude de style', but still the film never ends up schematic. Roberto keeps perfectionizing everything and everyone. Don Justo insists on his independence while being pressed into the 'old-aged senile father-in-law' role, even really secondary personages as, for instance, the concurring player in the TV show or the woman giving the old man a ride, have their really own life. I have seen many films with amateur actors, I adore the way Sorin leads them, not making them play but letting them show us their lives.
Nice, but very low-key (Very mild spoiler here)
MW3220 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
An appealing movie with a likable cast, "Intimate Stories" could use a bit more plot. The scenery is fascinating (though the cinematographer is too in love with the long shot of endless horizontal landscape), and there are several touching scenes, but there are long periods where nothing of much interest happens. I love quirky foreign movies and I love Latin America (and I loved being able to understand much of the Argentinian Spanish accent, as opposed to Spanish in movies set in Spain), but even I got restless at times as the script simply seemed to be vamping. On the positive side, the movie nicely illustrates the theme that "you can't always get what you want"--- but sometimes what you get may be what you need. Three people travel independently across a bleak terrain to the same town with their own goals in mind. They return home without having achieved (exactly, anyway) what they intended, but with each having found something that might turn out to be better in the long run. Though I gave this movie a 7, I did so only to try to counter those who gave it a 10, which it does not deserve. I'd really give it an 8 for effort and the characters' faces.
Bring your Mate tea...
telonius14 March 2003
This is a delightful film. If you wish to get away from Hollywood movies,you should give this movie a try. Each actor brings a wonderful performance. Don Justo gives a warm and "simpatico" delivery. It seems to me that they were not acting. It felt it was really happening at that moment...live. Grab your tea or your "Mate" and get ready to enjoy a "Patagonic" experience that you will treasure for a lifetime.
Human Kindness at its best
richp-1123 August 2006
I saw this movie yesterday. I got it from Netflix. I knew nothing about it beforehand and was delightfully surprised by it. It is perfect acting and shows such acts of human kindness and tenderness that it should be seen by everyone. I don't know when I have seen such a completely satisfying movie. Don Justo is a dear old soul with the pride of generations long since disappearing. The scenes at the television station are high camp. And of course, one cannot find enough praise for the traveling salesman. All of this and the bleak countryside of Patagonia make this an incredible film. I wish I could see more films like this and in settings far from the madding crowd. One can feel the sympathy which the director feels for his characters.
Another Great Argentine Road Movie
rstout352615 March 2013
Minimal Stories is a thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable simple road movie where the emphasis is on the characters, rather than the story.
Argentina seems to excel in this genre. Three people set off on a journey - each looking to fulfil an expectation - and all end up satisfied. The feel good factor is in abundance. It compares well to similar road movies such as Bombon and Las Acacias, where the directors uses a largely non-professional cast, who in turn give that honest portrayal of simple folk in a landscape. In each case the main character tends to be an old man on a journey looking back in time and observing the younger generation. When watching these movies I am always looking for a political or religious undertone and in every case it does not exist. These are simply great feel good movies and very well made. Well recommended.
Argentina seems to excel in this genre. Three people set off on a journey - each looking to fulfil an expectation - and all end up satisfied. The feel good factor is in abundance. It compares well to similar road movies such as Bombon and Las Acacias, where the directors uses a largely non-professional cast, who in turn give that honest portrayal of simple folk in a landscape. In each case the main character tends to be an old man on a journey looking back in time and observing the younger generation. When watching these movies I am always looking for a political or religious undertone and in every case it does not exist. These are simply great feel good movies and very well made. Well recommended.
3 Charming and Quixotic Road Trips
noralee20 March 2005
"Intimate Stories (Historias mínimas)" has superficial similarities to "Straight Story," as one of the characters is also an obsessed, guilt-ridden, crotchety old man.
It similarly shares with "Schultze Gets the Blues" how a casually imparted piece of information can cause a propulsive epiphany that sets the old man off on an improbable quest, as well being part of a tradition of road movies from "Five Easy Pieces" to "Smoke Signals," "The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta)" etc..
But director Carlos Sorin has more social commentary in mind than personal transformations, more like Balzac's "La Comedy Humaine" at the intersections where the "Scenes of Country Life" meet the "Scenes of Provincial Life," at a comparable historical moment where technology, communication and transportation are bringing these isolated environments into contact.
Sorin leisurely with subtlety visually and thematically intertwines debut screenwriter Pablo Solarz's stories of three very diverse characters in a tiny, dusty, rural community in Patagonia as they coincidentally decide to follow their dreams to the regional capital of San Julian.
In addition to the almost blind old man is a naive young mother and a charming middle-aged salesman. While each one's quest is literally quixotic, they manage to affect everyone they meet, as the foibles and ironies of human nature are delightfully and poignantly portrayed.
While the salesman's story is the most predictable, the film is amusing and heartwarming, as well as a beautiful travelogue through unusual terrain.
It similarly shares with "Schultze Gets the Blues" how a casually imparted piece of information can cause a propulsive epiphany that sets the old man off on an improbable quest, as well being part of a tradition of road movies from "Five Easy Pieces" to "Smoke Signals," "The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta)" etc..
But director Carlos Sorin has more social commentary in mind than personal transformations, more like Balzac's "La Comedy Humaine" at the intersections where the "Scenes of Country Life" meet the "Scenes of Provincial Life," at a comparable historical moment where technology, communication and transportation are bringing these isolated environments into contact.
Sorin leisurely with subtlety visually and thematically intertwines debut screenwriter Pablo Solarz's stories of three very diverse characters in a tiny, dusty, rural community in Patagonia as they coincidentally decide to follow their dreams to the regional capital of San Julian.
In addition to the almost blind old man is a naive young mother and a charming middle-aged salesman. While each one's quest is literally quixotic, they manage to affect everyone they meet, as the foibles and ironies of human nature are delightfully and poignantly portrayed.
While the salesman's story is the most predictable, the film is amusing and heartwarming, as well as a beautiful travelogue through unusual terrain.
Great, great cinema.
skinthegoat23 January 2008
Three simple stories, a simple film, and it's wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Apart from the scenery, so reminiscent of the flat boglands of Mayo, the three lightly-connected stories are just perfect. The scene (Cuentame. Cuentame, abuelo) between Don Justo and Fermin is a delicate and touching depiction of confession, understanding and absolution. It is truly sacramental. Roberto's constant anxiety about his gift has the quality of a dream. Each of his clever solutions produces a new problem, and he is doomed always to be frustrated. I could go on and on. This is what cinema was invented for, it's a work of art; and one viewing will not be enough. Don't miss it.
humor and humans up to what they do
filmalamosa1 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Good film... showing the lives of uncomplicated uncorrupted small town people. The only criticism I have is some of the characters were a little too sugary to be true and the tone was too sentimental.
This was done to set the feel good "comedy of human nature" mood of the film..I subtracted 3 stars for it.
The scenery was great reminded me a lot of Wyoming where I am from.
It is exactly the kind of film I like with lots of authentic non professional actors...in this film showing humans up to the little dramas that might occur.. The traveling sales man was the best a likable obsessive compulsive idiot of sorts.
About the most touching moment in the film is when the dog runs over to the old man and the dog is so small. It was perfect.
This was done to set the feel good "comedy of human nature" mood of the film..I subtracted 3 stars for it.
The scenery was great reminded me a lot of Wyoming where I am from.
It is exactly the kind of film I like with lots of authentic non professional actors...in this film showing humans up to the little dramas that might occur.. The traveling sales man was the best a likable obsessive compulsive idiot of sorts.
About the most touching moment in the film is when the dog runs over to the old man and the dog is so small. It was perfect.
Simple, direct, honest movie
alidoro24 January 2009
This a low budget film, which goes right into the heart without cheap sentimentality or tricks: three crossed stories about simple people living at the end of the world, in a poor province of a poor country.The characters are as real as life, the actors are convincing. Not all the people shown are "nice good people always disposed to help" (by instance, the son of the man of the dog and her wife) but in all the cases they are true as life itself. That art (which is mainly "artifice") could grasp life so truly and honestly has lots of (artistic) merit. In that respect, this film is an achievement. A must see
Different road movie
dcldan18 April 2006
three people must, due to different reasons travel from their little town in the poorest region of Patagonia to the near city. In their travel we will watch their life, their expectedness and their hopes. An old man has been told that his dog is there. A tailor travels to flirt with a young widow and takes a cake for her child and a young housewife travel to win a prize in a TV program. All them will see that, usually, things never happen as are expected. this a different movie, with amateur actors, a directing very close, almost all only in close cuts, describing very well the characters and the places they go. They are not heroes nor losers, only, common people who have a little thing different in their routine. The movie is good at this, the characters building, how they are, what they want; However, the story is a little weak, it is only an excuse to show how are they; which makes the film a little boring, as in most of the film anything happens, just they are traveling. I had been told that it war great so I was a little disappointed, it is not a bad film but it is not as good as I expected (maybe I expected too much), it is depth and demands some quietness to take all the profit of it, it's good, but, in my opinion not as good as it is said.
Small stories that become more than what was anticipated
Tychoxz2 October 2010
This is a wonderful film about the "little" lives of "little" people, whose stories (briefly) interwind.
Now, it may be about "little" people, but they all HAVE a life and things for us to see and even relate to (unlike many other similar movies). Furthermore, most of the actors are amateur locals and they all shine.
Mr. Justo is a retired man who suddenly decides to "escape" from home in search of a long-lost dog.
María is a very simple and shy housewife who has won a spot on a TV games show. It's very interesting to see how she reacts to being in a (quite small!) TV program, and how the other participants and staff behave in contrast to her.
Roberto is a traveling salesman, a somewhat obsessive character who wants to make (and actually goes to great lengths in order to produce) the perfect gift for the son of a widow (one of his clients) he has become love-struck with. This is by far the most lovable character, he's charming, funny, somewhat clumsy and superbly acted by Javier Lombardo (the only professional actor featured.) We will also meet several minor characters (most prominently a molecular biologist who has hit the road in search for her future) who are not developed but deliciously fill their small places.
This all happens in the routes and small towns throughout the Patagonia region, against the backdrop of its deserts.
All in all, an amazing film, with some great stories that slowly unwind but quickly become more than was anticipated.
Now, it may be about "little" people, but they all HAVE a life and things for us to see and even relate to (unlike many other similar movies). Furthermore, most of the actors are amateur locals and they all shine.
Mr. Justo is a retired man who suddenly decides to "escape" from home in search of a long-lost dog.
María is a very simple and shy housewife who has won a spot on a TV games show. It's very interesting to see how she reacts to being in a (quite small!) TV program, and how the other participants and staff behave in contrast to her.
Roberto is a traveling salesman, a somewhat obsessive character who wants to make (and actually goes to great lengths in order to produce) the perfect gift for the son of a widow (one of his clients) he has become love-struck with. This is by far the most lovable character, he's charming, funny, somewhat clumsy and superbly acted by Javier Lombardo (the only professional actor featured.) We will also meet several minor characters (most prominently a molecular biologist who has hit the road in search for her future) who are not developed but deliciously fill their small places.
This all happens in the routes and small towns throughout the Patagonia region, against the backdrop of its deserts.
All in all, an amazing film, with some great stories that slowly unwind but quickly become more than was anticipated.
a wry and affirmative ethnographic essay of Patagonia
lasttimeisaw5 May 2016
INTIMATE STORIES heralds an auspicious comeback for Argentinian director Carlos Sorin after his decade-long absence, it is his third feature film overall where his previous work is a UK-Argentina co-production, Daniel Day-Lewis vehicle EVERSMILE, NEW JERSEY, way back in 1989.
The multi-threads story unwinds from a provincial area near the Puerto San Julian in the sparsely populated area of Patagonia, Argentina. Adhering to the road-movie formula and committing faithfully under the cinéma-vérité guidance, Sorin's movie is a quest for love, money and forgiveness, allotted to three major story lines which share the same destination, San Julian.
Don Justo (Benedicti), an old man looking for his dog, Roberto (Lombardo, the only professional actor here), a loquacious salesman, brings a birthday cake to a child he has never met, only to surprise the woman he tries to court, and Maria (Bravo), a young married woman, who is lucky enough to be chosen by a TV show to participate in a competition for prizes, hopefully, an all- inclusive one-week trip to Brazil or a food processor. There will be little twists in all these three vignettes: Maria's prize-swapping decision; the reason why Justo lost his dog or in his perspective - the dog left him three years ago; the whimsical attempt of Roberto to make the cake unisex, when he realises he doesn't know the sex of the the birthday child, but there will be another surprise for him. Nothing groundbreaking but thanks to Sorin's unpretentious, beguilingly spontaneous approach, and writer Solarz's keen observation and rumination of common people in their daily hustle-bustle, the philosophy of life is being unhurriedly injected into this lyrical travelogue, which evolves into a wry and affirmative ethnographic essay of the area, plus, the arid landscape of Patagonia itself is presented as a striking character.
Meantime, Justo, Roberto and Maria, their life orbits also have their respective convergence, sometimes, they just pass by without noticing each other's presences, sometimes they share a short stint of journey, the connection is always there, regardless of our subjective perception. Performance-wise, Lombardo feels over-stretching among amateurs basically play themselves, and surprisingly Antonio Benedicti, a sympathetic grandfather figure, brings astonishing gravitas in his film debut, his search for the dog "ugly face" is where lies the strength of this humble but scintillating film.
The multi-threads story unwinds from a provincial area near the Puerto San Julian in the sparsely populated area of Patagonia, Argentina. Adhering to the road-movie formula and committing faithfully under the cinéma-vérité guidance, Sorin's movie is a quest for love, money and forgiveness, allotted to three major story lines which share the same destination, San Julian.
Don Justo (Benedicti), an old man looking for his dog, Roberto (Lombardo, the only professional actor here), a loquacious salesman, brings a birthday cake to a child he has never met, only to surprise the woman he tries to court, and Maria (Bravo), a young married woman, who is lucky enough to be chosen by a TV show to participate in a competition for prizes, hopefully, an all- inclusive one-week trip to Brazil or a food processor. There will be little twists in all these three vignettes: Maria's prize-swapping decision; the reason why Justo lost his dog or in his perspective - the dog left him three years ago; the whimsical attempt of Roberto to make the cake unisex, when he realises he doesn't know the sex of the the birthday child, but there will be another surprise for him. Nothing groundbreaking but thanks to Sorin's unpretentious, beguilingly spontaneous approach, and writer Solarz's keen observation and rumination of common people in their daily hustle-bustle, the philosophy of life is being unhurriedly injected into this lyrical travelogue, which evolves into a wry and affirmative ethnographic essay of the area, plus, the arid landscape of Patagonia itself is presented as a striking character.
Meantime, Justo, Roberto and Maria, their life orbits also have their respective convergence, sometimes, they just pass by without noticing each other's presences, sometimes they share a short stint of journey, the connection is always there, regardless of our subjective perception. Performance-wise, Lombardo feels over-stretching among amateurs basically play themselves, and surprisingly Antonio Benedicti, a sympathetic grandfather figure, brings astonishing gravitas in his film debut, his search for the dog "ugly face" is where lies the strength of this humble but scintillating film.
A nice picture of loneliness
s_j_gould30 March 2003
In few films the title fits the content so well: Minimal Stories is exactly about that, small stories in which practically nothing that happens takes place outside the people who live them, tiny pieces of their lives where everything that occurs could be told in two or three lines. This movie is not about important events, nothing that could be called big. It is precisely that: a story of the small. The people that appear in it live in a village in South Patagonia surrounded by impressive extensions of flat land, of dust and nothing, as if to sharpen the feeling that nothing being told can be shot by the camera. To me, this is a merit of the film: to make me feel the camera is placed inside the people I see instead of outside. What it comes to show is the wonderful picture of the loneliness of the landscape impressed on them.
the title was not lying
wong kar lurko7 November 2002
I respect films that are not intended to be masterpieces. I consider pretentiousness to be the worst sin of all; but this is not the case. We face a small, charming film in which tiny stories are told about small town heroes. These stories are told in such a crafty, elaborate and detailed way that the audience gives in to emotion at once. The old man (Don Justo) giving a praise- worthy performance, the beautiful landscapes of the Patagonia, the slow paced life of people in these arid regions: they all sum up to render a lovely film concerning lovely people. There´s laughter and tears involved. Wim Wenders loved it, I loved it, maybe you should give it a chance. It will not change your life, but it will certainly make you feel warm,least for an hour and a half.
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