O Ministro e Eu

This is one of the most watchable of the Cantinflas movies, at least for me. A good thing, too, as I've had to watch it several times to get some of the jokes! Cantinflas stars as Mateo, son of a postman, who gets involved in a number of subplots loosely organized around his new job as a bureaucrat and around life in the boarding house where he lives.

As is often the case with the Cantinflas movies, to enjoy the movie you have to accept that the only purpose of the plots is to let the star's humor shine in a number of absurd situations -- bureaucracy, office politics, adventures with an antique car, writing letters for others in the plaza -- and to let him express noble ideas in pursuit of a noble goal (in this case, helping a deaf girl and her grandfather). Once you let yourself roll along with the humor, you will enjoy many gems; my favorite is a scene dealing with the paperwork necessary for a simple question in the appraiser's office.

Check out and cherish the talents of a genuine international star who was a great man offscreen as well.