24 out of 27 people found the following comment useful :- The story of a "simple mechanic", 4 July 2005
Author:
simon_acors from London
A captivating story told in a subtle naturalistic cinematic style. A
largely novice cast give fine performances. Special mention should be
made of Juan Villegas' portrayal of the main character 'Coco'; a
good-hearted and modest ex-gas-station attendant who is vainly looking
for work doing "simple mechanics". Coco's journey is engrossing and
leads the viewer in an understated manner through the social landscapes
of unemployment, poverty and inequality to the quaint world of dog
exhibiting, whilst all the time the natural and industrial landscapes
of Patagonia (beautifully filmed by Hugo Colace) serve to provide a
sometimes bleak and sometimes beautiful visual canvas.
The characters he meets, from the boastful dog-trainer to the
empathetic restaurant-singer, are finely drawn and are often contrasted
against Coco's simplicity and naivity. Unlike some I didn't find the
ending a disappointment - I'd say that it proved a fitting climax.
This gem of a film has many facets. As a foreign viewer I found wit,
pathos and charm aplenty. I found a world that was believable, at turns
hauntingly sad and others full of kindness and hope; characters that I
cared about and whose story I wanted to follow.
And then of course there is Bombon! a dog of impeccable pedigree who
fills the screen (literally) and who is the catalyst in Coco's life...
he should be the canine manifestation of Latin American machismo but he
has an effeminate name and questionable libido...
Fine score by Nicolas Sorin - beautiful and never irritating or
obtrusive. Worth viewing on the big screen but if you don't then
definitely get hold of this film on DVD.
21 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :- Very Enjoyable, 23 June 2005
Author:
Andrew Sharp from United Kingdom
Released in the UK with the title of Bombón (El Perro), this is a
lovely little movie. Although life is hard, the characters in the story
show that love, joy and friendship can be found - often in the most
unexpected places. Contrary to my expectations, it was not a simple
tale of "man meets dog and together they form an inseparable bond that
brings them through many hardships" but rather a more subtle and
involved tale that gave you deeper insight into the life of the main
character Coco Villegas. Although lacking Hollywood attention grabbers,
the film keeps you constantly engaged and finishes with a twist that
helps you leave with a smile.
21 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :- well made, 22 May 2005
Author:
ipy from Serbia and Montenegro
What a movie! This is one of the movies that gives you a feeling like
you've met the lead actor, like you've known him for all your life. A
kind of film that in all its simplicity shows the magic of life
transported on the movie canvas. Staring with the fact that during the
movie you can't stop thinking "where in the hell did he found the lead
actor (Juan Villegas),he must be a actor-legend in Argentina" and then
you find out that man used to park the director's (Carlos Sorin) car
for 5 years before he put him on film. It doesn't end here, it's that
none of the actors in film are professional actors, so to speak. An art
it self is getting that maximum out them and he did. Pure emotions on
movie canvas, a master-piece in a small life story.
20 out of 24 people found the following comment useful :- another Argentina, 27 September 2004
Author:
tomgrau (tomgrau@yahoo.com) from argentina
Sorin has managed to show an Argentina which not many Argentinians are
used to see in film. With "El perro" and "Historias minimas" he
surprises the audience with the complete absence of surprises. The
beautifully portrayed characters in this movie are so simple that you
cannot feel nothing but thankful for being able to share a part of
their life. This could be seen as another of the stories Sorin showed
us in "historias mínimas", but this one is maybe even more simple and
it is that simplicity which makes this movie so great. It is also a
great lesson for us Argentinias that are always waiting for someone who
will take advantage of the main character........that is the biggest
surprise this film has waiting for us.
Tomm
12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :- it could be real, 22 March 2006
Author:
joel-387 from Sweden
There are where you look forward to find a hero, but watching this film
you will find your self immerse in the hard realty of someone else.
This is a very simple movie, and absolutely realistic. I am Argentinean
I have lived several years in Patagonia (where the movie goes on).
Eveithing that you see, that hostile but amusing context is there. This
is a movie about a guy, 52 years old, in the middle of a crisis. He
discover that there is no much place in this new "dinamic" world, since
he don't have education (hardly he can read). He is very longly, even
if he lives with his daughter. In this moment is when Sorin mange to
show again something real. Coco (the MAN) assist a woman with a broken
car in the route, and tow her car 150 km and then fix it without desire
compensation. Well, I have read comments of people that find this
extremely rare...my friends, that happened to me too...my car broke and
and actually people stopped to help!! Well, this people that Coco help
gives him a present. A dog. No any dog, a "Dogo Argentino". it is like
"The" Argentinean dog. Perhaps the most remarkable "hability" of this
dog is the loyalty. The film keeps going, and Coco find him self in a
lot of new situations because of the dog. Well, you will become immerse
in a adventure. In the world of coco. It is a very simple movie,
excellent job. Doesn't need anything else.
11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :- fine Argentine film about a dog, an out of work mechanic and libido issues, 25 September 2005
Author:
Martin Togher from London,England
A beautifully made film about a down on his luck out of work mechanic
(who specialised in "simple mechanics") and a pedigree dog he is given
after rescuing a woman who had broken down 150k from home. Her mother
decides to give him a pedigree dog left to her by her husband, despite
being broke, the man accepts the gift and then has to work out how he
can support himself and the dog
Set in Patagonia, the film focuses on the man, the dog, and both of
their libidos - neither seem at all interested in sex (the man hasn't
seen his wife in 20 years) together they set off on an adventure, or
sorts, involving dog shows, a drunken dog exhibitor, stud fees, and a
cabaret singer.
funny and touching in parts, well worth checking out.
16 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :- Coco and his dog, 23 April 2005
Author:
aaydede from Turkey
I wasn't expecting a lot form this movie when I first bought the
ticket. However the story of the mechanic whose life changed after
owning a very special breed of dog turned out to be rather interesting
one. The main character Coco needs to be commended for his astonishing
work. His facial expressions in almost every single shot carried out
some aspect of his character's naive nature. Even though the story
doesn't end with a very striking ending, it can't be considered as a
slowly paced one. The shot with the machines and Coco's car, where Coco
is riding in the fields of the factory is a very good one indeed. Other
than that, the technical aspects such as the color and the sound add a
lot to the movie's close to real atmosphere.
11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :- one man and his dog..., 28 June 2005
Author:
skiddo from United Kingdom
what a lovely, lovely film.
bleak and beautiful, desperate and hopeful.
i personally have a real problem watching movies that have dogs as main
characters... my empathy is totally with the dog - i can rarely care
less what happens to the people as long as nothing bad happens to the
dog. quite a turn up then when i find myself desperately rooting for
coco, bombom's new owner, lost in his new world of dog showing, naive
and ripe for the picking...
brilliant movie, go see it, go buy it. don't wait for the nicholson and
hooch Hollywood remake!
12 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :- so simple, so damn good!, 19 July 2005
Author:
Nzup from Ireland
In the times of McHollywood and all the crap, it is good to know that
we still have this kind of movies.
Time is what Juan, the lead actor in the movie, has the most and he
uses that time to desperately find a steadier job and occasionally
sells hand made knives nobody can afford. The simplicity of "Bombon, el
perro" will captivate you. While following the lead actor during his
search fornew life opportunities the film never misses an occasion to
show thesocial situation in the country, Argentina, with both
seriousness and humor.
The main actor gives us a savagely good performance in this film. His
body language and mimic, his talk, a great pleasure!
11 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :- A Gentle, well shot and entertaining Argentinian film, 3 October 2005
Author:
tresdodge from London
Coco, an unemployed 52 year old mechanic,lives with his daughter in her
small, chaotic family home. Poor and unable to find a job he spends his
time selling knives whose handles he has specially crafted. One day he
stops to help a woman whose car has broken down by towing her 150 km to
her parents home. Here he fixes her car and as payment he is given a
large but rather beautiful dog called Bombom by her mother. From here
Coco's life changes as he meets Walter Donado who trains him to be a
dog handler with the belief that Bombom will win them lots of prizes at
dog shows.
A really pleasant way to spend a Monday evening. I was astonished at
the acting ability of this inexperienced group, especially the lead
Juan Villegas whose kindly face was quite captivating. The story was
simple, effective, humorous and kept me intrigued throughout. The
Argentinan landscape was a pleasant, if at times bleak, one.
I really enjoyed this film experience and highly recommend it to
others.
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsIMDb user comments for
Perro, El (2004)
24 out of 27 people found the following comment useful :-

The story of a "simple mechanic", 4 July 2005
Author: simon_acors from London
A captivating story told in a subtle naturalistic cinematic style. A largely novice cast give fine performances. Special mention should be made of Juan Villegas' portrayal of the main character 'Coco'; a good-hearted and modest ex-gas-station attendant who is vainly looking for work doing "simple mechanics". Coco's journey is engrossing and leads the viewer in an understated manner through the social landscapes of unemployment, poverty and inequality to the quaint world of dog exhibiting, whilst all the time the natural and industrial landscapes of Patagonia (beautifully filmed by Hugo Colace) serve to provide a sometimes bleak and sometimes beautiful visual canvas.
The characters he meets, from the boastful dog-trainer to the empathetic restaurant-singer, are finely drawn and are often contrasted against Coco's simplicity and naivity. Unlike some I didn't find the ending a disappointment - I'd say that it proved a fitting climax.
This gem of a film has many facets. As a foreign viewer I found wit, pathos and charm aplenty. I found a world that was believable, at turns hauntingly sad and others full of kindness and hope; characters that I cared about and whose story I wanted to follow.
And then of course there is Bombon! a dog of impeccable pedigree who fills the screen (literally) and who is the catalyst in Coco's life... he should be the canine manifestation of Latin American machismo but he has an effeminate name and questionable libido...
Fine score by Nicolas Sorin - beautiful and never irritating or obtrusive. Worth viewing on the big screen but if you don't then definitely get hold of this film on DVD.
21 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :-

Very Enjoyable, 23 June 2005
Author: Andrew Sharp from United Kingdom
Released in the UK with the title of Bombón (El Perro), this is a lovely little movie. Although life is hard, the characters in the story show that love, joy and friendship can be found - often in the most unexpected places. Contrary to my expectations, it was not a simple tale of "man meets dog and together they form an inseparable bond that brings them through many hardships" but rather a more subtle and involved tale that gave you deeper insight into the life of the main character Coco Villegas. Although lacking Hollywood attention grabbers, the film keeps you constantly engaged and finishes with a twist that helps you leave with a smile.
21 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :-

well made, 22 May 2005
Author: ipy from Serbia and Montenegro
What a movie! This is one of the movies that gives you a feeling like you've met the lead actor, like you've known him for all your life. A kind of film that in all its simplicity shows the magic of life transported on the movie canvas. Staring with the fact that during the movie you can't stop thinking "where in the hell did he found the lead actor (Juan Villegas),he must be a actor-legend in Argentina" and then you find out that man used to park the director's (Carlos Sorin) car for 5 years before he put him on film. It doesn't end here, it's that none of the actors in film are professional actors, so to speak. An art it self is getting that maximum out them and he did. Pure emotions on movie canvas, a master-piece in a small life story.
20 out of 24 people found the following comment useful :-
another Argentina, 27 September 2004
Author: tomgrau (tomgrau@yahoo.com) from argentina
Sorin has managed to show an Argentina which not many Argentinians are used to see in film. With "El perro" and "Historias minimas" he surprises the audience with the complete absence of surprises. The beautifully portrayed characters in this movie are so simple that you cannot feel nothing but thankful for being able to share a part of their life. This could be seen as another of the stories Sorin showed us in "historias mínimas", but this one is maybe even more simple and it is that simplicity which makes this movie so great. It is also a great lesson for us Argentinias that are always waiting for someone who will take advantage of the main character........that is the biggest surprise this film has waiting for us.
Tomm
12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-

it could be real, 22 March 2006
Author: joel-387 from Sweden
There are where you look forward to find a hero, but watching this film you will find your self immerse in the hard realty of someone else. This is a very simple movie, and absolutely realistic. I am Argentinean I have lived several years in Patagonia (where the movie goes on). Eveithing that you see, that hostile but amusing context is there. This is a movie about a guy, 52 years old, in the middle of a crisis. He discover that there is no much place in this new "dinamic" world, since he don't have education (hardly he can read). He is very longly, even if he lives with his daughter. In this moment is when Sorin mange to show again something real. Coco (the MAN) assist a woman with a broken car in the route, and tow her car 150 km and then fix it without desire compensation. Well, I have read comments of people that find this extremely rare...my friends, that happened to me too...my car broke and and actually people stopped to help!! Well, this people that Coco help gives him a present. A dog. No any dog, a "Dogo Argentino". it is like "The" Argentinean dog. Perhaps the most remarkable "hability" of this dog is the loyalty. The film keeps going, and Coco find him self in a lot of new situations because of the dog. Well, you will become immerse in a adventure. In the world of coco. It is a very simple movie, excellent job. Doesn't need anything else.
11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-

fine Argentine film about a dog, an out of work mechanic and libido issues, 25 September 2005
Author: Martin Togher from London,England
A beautifully made film about a down on his luck out of work mechanic (who specialised in "simple mechanics") and a pedigree dog he is given after rescuing a woman who had broken down 150k from home. Her mother decides to give him a pedigree dog left to her by her husband, despite being broke, the man accepts the gift and then has to work out how he can support himself and the dog
Set in Patagonia, the film focuses on the man, the dog, and both of their libidos - neither seem at all interested in sex (the man hasn't seen his wife in 20 years) together they set off on an adventure, or sorts, involving dog shows, a drunken dog exhibitor, stud fees, and a cabaret singer.
funny and touching in parts, well worth checking out.
16 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :-

Coco and his dog, 23 April 2005
Author: aaydede from Turkey
I wasn't expecting a lot form this movie when I first bought the ticket. However the story of the mechanic whose life changed after owning a very special breed of dog turned out to be rather interesting one. The main character Coco needs to be commended for his astonishing work. His facial expressions in almost every single shot carried out some aspect of his character's naive nature. Even though the story doesn't end with a very striking ending, it can't be considered as a slowly paced one. The shot with the machines and Coco's car, where Coco is riding in the fields of the factory is a very good one indeed. Other than that, the technical aspects such as the color and the sound add a lot to the movie's close to real atmosphere.
11 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-

one man and his dog..., 28 June 2005
Author: skiddo from United Kingdom
what a lovely, lovely film.
bleak and beautiful, desperate and hopeful.
i personally have a real problem watching movies that have dogs as main characters... my empathy is totally with the dog - i can rarely care less what happens to the people as long as nothing bad happens to the dog. quite a turn up then when i find myself desperately rooting for coco, bombom's new owner, lost in his new world of dog showing, naive and ripe for the picking...
brilliant movie, go see it, go buy it. don't wait for the nicholson and hooch Hollywood remake!
12 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-

so simple, so damn good!, 19 July 2005
Author: Nzup from Ireland
In the times of McHollywood and all the crap, it is good to know that we still have this kind of movies.
Time is what Juan, the lead actor in the movie, has the most and he uses that time to desperately find a steadier job and occasionally sells hand made knives nobody can afford. The simplicity of "Bombon, el perro" will captivate you. While following the lead actor during his search fornew life opportunities the film never misses an occasion to show thesocial situation in the country, Argentina, with both seriousness and humor.
The main actor gives us a savagely good performance in this film. His body language and mimic, his talk, a great pleasure!
11 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
A Gentle, well shot and entertaining Argentinian film, 3 October 2005
Author: tresdodge from London
Coco, an unemployed 52 year old mechanic,lives with his daughter in her small, chaotic family home. Poor and unable to find a job he spends his time selling knives whose handles he has specially crafted. One day he stops to help a woman whose car has broken down by towing her 150 km to her parents home. Here he fixes her car and as payment he is given a large but rather beautiful dog called Bombom by her mother. From here Coco's life changes as he meets Walter Donado who trains him to be a dog handler with the belief that Bombom will win them lots of prizes at dog shows.
A really pleasant way to spend a Monday evening. I was astonished at the acting ability of this inexperienced group, especially the lead Juan Villegas whose kindly face was quite captivating. The story was simple, effective, humorous and kept me intrigued throughout. The Argentinan landscape was a pleasant, if at times bleak, one.
I really enjoyed this film experience and highly recommend it to others.
Add another comment
Related Links