What It Is: Abril (Merino) is a single mom trying to raise her teenage daughter. When that daughter, Valentina (Lara Yuja Mora) expresses her wishes to move in with her father Julián (Jiménez) this throws Abril for a loop. She doesn’t know what to think, meanwhile, she begins a romance with the handsome Gabriel (Arnaud) things are pushing and pulling in two separate directions for her and some of it is beginning to take its toll. All the while there are unresolved issues Valentina has with her mother. Things she hasn’t spoken about.

What We Think: Hernán Jiménez is absolutely brilliant behind the lens here. Shot selection, momentary pieces of brilliance and he’s getting a beautifully layered performance from Maricarmen Merino. He’s also putting in a very good performance as Abril’s ex-husband Julián. I saw the name Francois Arnaud and I didn’t know what to expect from him in a film set and shot in Costa Rica and written in Spanish. I apologize Francois. I was not familiar with your game. He’s charming and performing in a language that isn’t his primary and he’s making it look easy. He even seems to have picked up colloquialisms of the region that add to his authenticity.

Our Grade: B+, This is a really good character study. Its diagnosis of middle age and realization of change in your life at that step in existence is beautifully examined. As the entire thing unfolds the film really leans on its script and thankfully that’s a pretty delightful and interesting piece in and of itself. Tethered by Maricarmen Merino’s wonderful performance this is a film that only runs when she does and only breathes when her character allows it to. There are some moments when you can feel the anxiety she’s feeling. When the tension of it all is seemingly too much and about to uncoil. See this movie if you get a chance. It’s a great surprise coming out of Costa Rica!