Marcelino pan y vino: A simple old tale

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 Sharing some thoughts on a charming little film.

 I re-watched Marcelino, pan y vino (‘Marcelino Bread and Wine’) with my family recently. Even though it was probably over a decade since I’d last seen it, I remembered most of the plot as it’s pretty straightforward. I’d say the film’s strongest point is its simplicity.

[OBLIGATORY SPOILER WARNING]

Set in 19th-century Spain, the movie mostly takes place in a Franciscan monestary, where one monk discovers an orphaned baby left outside the monestary, the titular ‘Marcelino.’ The monks decide to raise Marcelino like a son and the rest of the movie follows Marcelino’s childhood.

The attractive part of the film to me wasn’t necessarily Marcelino’s exploits, but the lives of the monks. The simple life of prayer and work is one I found quite interesting. It’s good to be reminded of the different ways in which communities around the world can live. Being a monk isn’t easy (but who’s life is?), but it’s certainly meaningful.

Pablito Calvo does a really good job of portraying a mischevious yet good-hearted 5-year old Marcelino. After getting into the usual shennanigans that 5-year olds get themselves into (one comes to realize how much of a handful kida can be), Marcelino discovers the ‘big wooden man’ (a crucifix) in the attic and begins to build a relationship with Him. The movie’s story shifts quite quickly, with Marcelino eventually asking Jesus to ‘see his mother,’ which results in his death…wow.

The news of the miracle of Jesus appearing to Marcelino spreads and soon the whole town has a yearly devotion to the feast day. This isn’t a true story, but it is interesting.

I don’t have much to say about this one to be honest. If you’re looking for a simple old movie to watch, go check it out.


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