El carro

I have just seen this movie in San Salvador for the Colombian Films Week. The plot is simple A middle class Colombian family living in Bogota buys a Red Convertible Chevrolet Bel-Air. Since the very beginning you notice that the car is main character of the movie. All kind of situations happen since before they buy it until they find it some years after they sell it. Accidents. Love Stories, Family Trips, Adventures. The movie shows how important that first experience of having a car for a family is and how people make cars part of the family. Also how difficult can be to say goodbye to them.

I couldn't help remembering one person like them: ME. I still can not sell my old 1961 VW Beetle and the idea of selling it makes feel strange. Maybe It is because I have lived so many things with his companion I even call him a name! So If you want to have memories about that old first beloved and unforgettable car this is your movie.

I watched this movie at Clemson University for credit for a Spanish class. I found it greatly entertaining, full of truisms about families, and touchingly honest. I would heartily recommend it to anyone wanting to enjoy an evening, improve their Spanish, and see family jaunt with a new car. The performance by all was strong, but the father was my favorite. A short ineffective parent, he displayed his emotional immaturity like a champ, and loved his family greatly even with all of his weaknesses. The main character, the younger daughter, was an impressive rebel, attempting to break out of the lower middle class confines of her family. The mother was a sexy Colombian mom, with loving concerns about her children, amidst her own selfish nature. The son was comedy in action.