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Carlitos is a very entertaining movie. The main character, Carlitos, is an orphan living in a corrupt orphanage. He's a phenomenal soccer player but has a awful headmaster who refuses to allow him to play. He gets a chance to try out for the Spanish junior national team. His headmaster won't allow it, so he sneaks off at a field trip. After a long try-out, they announce the roster. Carlitos is picked. The coach is a washed up profesional soccer coach who is coincidentally working as a janitor at Carlitos' orphanage. Despite Carlitos's talent, he can't score because he doesn't have belief in himself. In order to get this belief, the coach has him go fishing. He does this so that he can build confidence in himself. The coach tells him to catch one fish on his own. Carlitos, feeling stubborn, grabs a sardine from the kitchen and puts it on his fishing line. The coach doesn't believe it for a second and makes him catch three fish instead of one. Carlitos eventually catches the fish and comes back to the team. Eventually the headmaster figures out that Carlitos is playing for the coach/janitor and fires him. Since Carlitos can't play, he feels depressed. Luckily, Carlitos is saved in a surprising way.

I particularly liked the actor who played Carlitos and the little boy, his friend, who helped him along the way. The actor who played the evil headmaster was also very effective. As a soccer player, I enjoyed watching the soccer moves and imagery. The best part of all was the plot because it moved at a fast pace. Also, as a thirteen year old, I could relate to the main character and imagine what it must have been like to be him. Soccer requires a lot of confidence, so it was exciting to watch him gain confidence in the sport.

CARLITOS AND THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME (Carlitos Y El Campo De Los Sueños)

Reviewed by John