Watch Familia rodante

Familia rodante, a 2004 Argentine road movie directed by Pablo Trapero, tells the story of the Argentinian travelling family, Puccio. The movie revolves around the comical chaos and emotional struggles of an extended family as they embark on a road trip across Argentina to attend the wedding of eldest cousin, Martín. Tía Emilia, the matriarch of the family, played by Graciana Chironi, is excited to reunite with her loved ones and offers to drive her old Peugeot 505, dubbed La Estanciera, to the wedding. Her companions include her bothersome daughter, Susana (Adelaída Bielopolsky), her kind-hearted son, Enrique (Roxana Blanco), and her recently divorced niece, Adriana (Ruth Dobel). As they journey towards their destination, they meet various characters who add to the dynamics of the group.

One of the members they meet is a hitchhiker named Diego (Carlos Resta), who is on his way to his parents' home. He's a quiet, reserved man who's the complete opposite of Puccio family members' colorful and lively nature. As they progress, they also encounter a group of young hitchhikers and a group of musicians performing at fiestas. These characters crank up the film's choreography, which furthers the comedy of the film.

After a while, the family starts to unravel as their individual issues come to the fore. Susana harbors resentment towards her mother, Emilia, while Enrique confesses to his mother that he's not happy in his marriage. With each passing mile, members of the family grow more and more solemn, and their true colors are revealed. In contrast, Adriana is the only one who seems to be content, cherishing the moments spent with her visiting family.

The movie's central themes are family, journey, generational divides, and communication breakdowns. It's a delicately composed slice of life, featuring relatable humor from different characters while exploring family dynamics with deceptively straightforward insight.

What Familia rodante lacks in plot, it makes up for in its well-portrayed characters. Director Pablo Trapero derives the film's drama from the relationships between the family members. He naturally lights up the film with mood shifts and plot twists until it reaches a sweet, reconciling ending at the wedding. Familia rodante is an honest and unaffected movie, whose charm lies in the portrayal of the average Argentinian family. The family dynamics are so well written that it encourages one to fall in love with the characters and almost feel like you're part of the family.

In summary, Familia rodante is an excellent road movie that takes its audience on a lovely and humorous journey of self-discovery. Its well-humored approach towards the family dynamics will make it feel relatable to everyone with families. Shot with a handheld camera, the movie adds a surreal touch to the traveling scenes, penetrating into the family's chaos and haphazard attempts at amending misunderstandings and hurt feelings. In conclusion, Familia rodante is a simple yet moving masterpiece that celebrates the messiness of families and the beauty of forgiveness.