Pedro (Rafael Vitti) is an aspiring, young chef who, after the unexpected resignation of his boss, has landed the position of head chef at the restaurant he works at. However, after visiting a doctor to check on his chronic migraines, his career goals are suddenly derailed with a devastating diagnosis of a brain tumor. Fortunately for Pedro, he does not have to face this challenge alone, as he finds comfort in the unlikely friendship he forms with a stray dog, whom he names Caramelo (Amendoim). A chance encounter with the small mutt becomes a source of hope, humor and support for Pedro. Together, Pedro and Caramelo embark on an emotional journey of healing filled with laughter, tears and food.
When I first read the description for “Caramelo” on Netflix, I was expecting it to be another overly sentimental movie about a dog, similar to movies like “A Dog’s Purpose” and “Marley & Me.” After sitting down and actually watching the film, I was met with a touching story that was much better than I originally expected.
Set in São Paulo, Brazil, “Caramelo,” at its core, is a portrayal of the bond between a dog and its caretaker. The movie is inspired by the production team’s real experience of rescuing a stray dog that showed up at their production company’s door. The dog, named Amendoim, was later adopted by the director, Diego Freitas, going on to star as the film’s titular character. The movie was made to highlight the small caramel-colored dogs that populate the streets of Brazil, as an iconic symbol of the country. These dogs are oftentimes passed over for adoption or abandoned by their owners, which this movie aims to bring awareness to.
After its initial release on October 8, the movie immediately gained traction. It set a record for the biggest premiere week for an original Netflix Brazilian film, as well as the most-watched non-English film worldwide for that month, and upon watching the movie, I can absolutely see why it captured the hearts of so many.
Though it touches on heavy subjects, the movie handles its emotional beats with care, specifically in regard to Pedro’s cancer. The movie eases the audience into the emotional moments. Instead of playing into shock value and immediately showing Pedro experiencing major symptoms and side effects, this movie decides to first convey the little ways in which Pedro’s illness impacts his life. By doing this, the film is able to show how Pedro’s struggles gradually intensify, allowing for a more authentic depiction of a cancer patient.
At the heart of this film is the relationship between Pedro and Caramelo, which the film does an excellent job of developing. The two had a rough start, however they gradually got closer throughout the film. No matter how much trouble Caramelo finds himself in, Pedro always manages to shower him with unconditional love, especially with food. As for Caramelo, he is devoted to Pedro from the beginning and his loyalty remains unwavering. It also helps that Pedro’s actor and the canine that plays Caramelo gave performances that feel like they have a genuine connection and fondness for each other. This made it possible for the audience to feel more invested in the characters and their stories.
Throughout the film, the cooking scenes play a vital role in elevating the character dynamics. They are used to symbolize love and endearment, oftentimes shown between scenes where affection is being exchanged. To quote directly from the film, “to cook is an act of love” and it definitely helps that the food was shot in a way that made it visibly appetizing. It provides such a domestic and warm feeling to the movie that you can’t help but feel the passion alongside the characters.
Despite its great qualities, this movie isn’t without its flaws. The comedic scenes did not land with me personally, as the humor feels juvenile and sometimes jarring. There was a particularly eye-rolling scene near the beginning of the film, where the former head chef attempts to walk a dish to a restaurant critic when Caramelo jumps up and snatches it. To play up the dramatics, the scene plays in slow motion, which drags it out for far too long. There are many instances like this where the movie is attempting to add comedic relief, but fails or it feels entirely out of place due to the emotional weight of its previous scene. These scenes didn’t feel necessary to the film and just make a good portion of the film hard to watch.
With that being said, the movie still delivers an inspirational message that could be felt by all that watched it and leaves an emotional impact. By including scenes of Pedro continuing to pursue what he is passionate about, even after his diagnosis, it shows that life can be enjoyed even in the face of adversity. It evokes a sense of hope for those going through hardships by showing courage and moments of happiness in the midst of turmoil.
Overall, this movie was surprisingly delightful to watch and certainly a rare gem in the Netflix catalog. While it is by no means a life-changing movie, if you are looking for an uplifting movie filled with pure love and friendship, then this is the movie for you.
