The Gift of the Magi-esque

Rating: 7/10 (27 April 2011)

Anyone who was touched by O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi" will like this wonderful film. An accidental loss of his sister's shoes causes this little boy to go through enormous lengths to make things right again. The stern father's transformation into a gentle, loving provider is also endearing, and provides some refreshing hilarious scenes. This is a film is a universal tale about families, especially poor families, and how the sacrifice of self for the betterment of others becomes the cement that bonds good people together. This film, and another Iranian film Baran, demonstrate the wonderful storytelling movement afoot in post-revolutionary Iran. Anyone in the family who doesn't mind subtitles should enjoy this one.