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Review by: Graeme Kay | Rating:
Two
SET in the wilds of Patagonia, South America, this quirky little
road-movie follows the story of three people who, for different
reasons, are making the trek from their tiny, rural town to the
'big' city of St Julien.
Don Justo (Antonio Benedictti) is the dignified, elderly owner
of the village store, who ekes out his time watching the traffic
pass by on the highway that runs outside his door.
His home life is comfortable but he is somewhat stifled by the
patronising attitudes of his son and daughter-in-law, who run
the shop.
So, on hearing the news that Badface, his runaway pet dog, has
been sighted in St Julien, Don Justo decides to assert his independence
by travelling to the city for a reconciliation with his four-legged
friend.
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'Borrowing' money from his son, he starts out on foot, but it
is not long before he is picked up by a kindly stranger and his
eventful journey begins in earnest.
Meanwhile, mouthy-but-good-hearted salesman Roberto (Javier Lombardo),
is off on a mission of his own; to deliver a birthday cake to
the child of one of his clients, on whom he has a massive crush.
Trouble is Roberto is not sure whether the child is a boy or
a girl, which leads to fun and games as he tries to ensure that
the cake will be the perfect gift.
Last, but not least, comes Maria (Javiera Bravo), a lonely housewife
and mother, who learns that she has been picked to appear on a
TV quiz show, filmed in St Julien. With baby in tow, she boards
the bus that will take her to what she hopes will be her dream
prize.
Told with a simplicity of style and vision, which allows the
actors to shine without being the least bit showy, Historias Minimas
draws in the viewer from the start; exploring the forces that
shape human identity while dealing sympathetically with universal
themes such as old age, ambition and romantic desire.
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