Newcomer Rodrigo Noya stars as the titular hero - a ten year old boy living with his grandmother (played by Almodovar favourite Carmen Maura) in 1969 Argentina. Whilst he sets about realising his dreams of becoming an astronaut, Valentin also dreams about a normal family life. Estranged from his parents; mother missing with lover, father living the life of a preying bachelor, Valentin lives with his neurotic grandmother. Surprisingly worldly for a boy so young, he has no problems striking up friendships and bringing joy to the adults around him, including his lonely neighbour and one of his father's ex-girlfriends. After a while Valentin realises that in order to obtain the family he so desires the only way to get a result is to concentrate on sorting things out for himself. A charmingly sweet film.