'Caramelo' Netflix Review: A Heartwarming Film Centered Around Brazil’s National Pride

Dogs are not just great companions, they are also an amusing subject to explore. Dog films have almost become a genre, with a side of thriller, drama, or even horror! The cuteness factor pulls the crowd, and watching them on screen is such a delight. There is always a chance that the audience will end up caring more about the dog than the protagonist, but you can’t really blame them! From a revenge film about a man going on a killing spree after the murder of his pup (John Wick, 2014) to the iconic emotional drama film based on a true story, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009), dog films have proved to be quite versatile. Also worth mentioning is Wes Anderson’s stop-motion animation film Isle of Dogs, one of my favorite dog-centered films (if we can call it that). As someone who enjoys the dog-film genre, Netflix’s new Brazilian release, Caramelo, had me intrigued.

Directed by Diego Freitas, Caramelo is about the lifelong friendship between a chef and a mutt he came across at a market one day. As a street dog, Caramelo had learned to hustle for food, and he didn’t mind entering risky territories as long as he could get a delicious morsel out of it. Like every dog, he had a weak spot for meat, and he was ready to go to any length to get a taste of it. Pedro, a young chef determined to create his signature recipes, was at the market to collect the dry meat ordered by his boss, head chef Ivan. While talking to the butcher, Pedro noticed a caramel-colored mutt stealing a sausage link, and he found it amusing. He kept the butcher distracted and signaled the dog to leave.

Pedro carried on with his day as usual, when unexpectedly the dog from the market made an appearance at the restaurant kitchen he worked at. It was fate that brought Caramelo and Pedro together. Pedro got an unexpected promotion that day, and later when he noticed that the mutt had followed him home, he decided to bring him to his apartment. Pedro had been experiencing extreme headaches; he’d been popping pills and hoping it would go away. But when he brought Caramelo to a dog school/shelter, the owner, Camila, advised him to consult a doctor after she noticed Caramelo repeatedly licking his head. She suspected that the dog knew Pedro was unwell—that his persistent licking was his way of showing concern. Pedro’s world fell apart when he was diagnosed with cancer. He wasn’t ready to share the news with his loved ones, but at the same time, he couldn’t imagine being completely alone. He realized that it was not Caramelo who needed saving; he craved the dog’s comforting companionship and brought him home from the shelter. Caramelo became an integral part of Pedro’s life. He was a loyal companion and a true friend, and his energetic personality always kept Pedro on his toes. The two became inseparable, and Pedro’s world pretty much started to revolve around Caramelo. 

The whole point of dog films is to be smitten by cuteness, and Caramelo has that in abundance. I loved that the film nudges its audience to adopt stray dogs over fancy breeds and shows how they can be perfect companions. The ‘Caramelo’ is a mixed-breed dog found in abundance on the streets of Brazil, and they are informally considered the national symbol of the country. The decision to cast a caramelo breed underlines the film’s core idea—finding joy and hope in the present (perhaps the survival mantra of the stray breed!). Hopefully more and more people from all over the world, after watching the film, will take an interest in the caramelo breed. It’s impressive that Diego Freitas chose to cast an actual dog instead of using CGI. The fact that he made the effort to find the right dog and train it for the role confirms that even though technology has made filmmaking a lot more convenient, a real dog can bring so much more joy and life on screen. 

Caramelo is predictable—a terminally ill protagonist develops a beautiful friendship with a stray pup—you can already imagine how the film will likely unfold. The generous amount of formulaic subplots helps the story move forward, but they don’t really add an element of surprise. Even though the film takes a cliché route, there is life to it. The happy chaos that Caramelo brings into Pedro’s life and how they slowly start adapting to each other is heartwarming to watch. The film doesn’t attempt to be unique; it plays out like a stereotypical emotional drama revolving around a dog, but the execution is impressive. Caramelo is not the kind of movie that’ll stay with you, but it promises to bring momentary joy. A few scenes in the film focus solely on Caramelo’s perspective, and honestly, those are the film’s strongest moments.

The star of Caramelo is Amendoim, the stray that was trained to perform in front of the camera. His beady eyes, his heart-melting expressions, and his endearing appearance will keep you hooked to the screen and make you fall in love with the perpetually hungry feisty pup. Rafael Vitti quite aptly portrays the protagonist, Pedro. As a twenty-seven-year-old who had just been promoted, it wasn’t easy for Pedro to accept that the life he’d once envisioned for himself could forever be just a dream. Rafael Vitti captured Pedro’s conflict and eventually his coming to terms with what truly mattered in life. Rafael and Amendoim’s chemistry is what truly makes Caramelo a heartwarming watch. There is just so much love and camaraderie between the two, and I’m sure the audience will adore the pair. 

In conclusion, Caramelo is a film worth tuning into on Netflix. It’s one of those films that you would want to watch after a long day to lift up your mood. Thankfully, it doesn’t take a weepy turn, and by the end of the film your hearts will be full. The main focus is on the bond between Pedro and Caramelo and the valuable lessons Pedro learns along the way. Although predictable, Caramelo is guaranteed to bring some joy into your life.