Ana

It is a predictable, mostly dull, small road trip movie with the occasional warm fuzzy in which you pretty much know where it's going to end up. But, with its Puerto Rico scenography, little bits of social & political commentary (against the church) and two relatively solid main characters with nice chemistry (Andy Garcia & Dafne Keen) movie is watchable. Garcia as character for me is pretty undeveloped, while the script needs some more ... punch. The second half speeds up a little bit, but introduces a weird subplot, trades realism for quirky (pit scene) and feels less meaningful. That is why at the end of film there was no real emotional resonance. Basically, movie started with the promise of more, but ended with an identity crisis while the execution made it like weekend TV afternoon movie vibe all over it.

Rating: 5+/6-

There are some very bad movies out there and Ana or "The Guardian" is not one of them. The story is slight and the running time feels about 20 minutes over. It's not quite a comedy. The humour is spare and dark, playing more like drama for the most part with elements of South American magical realism.

Dafne Keen and Andy Garcia are cast perfectly, with an on-screen chemistry and individual performances that's are a real joy to watch. Garcia is perfectly sad, understated and beaten, while Keen is a chaotic bundle of innocence and guile. The movie rollicks along when the two of them are together in the same space (and begins to drag a little when they are not). The cinematography and shots of Puerto Rico are beautiful, from the broken slums to the lush jungle. There are several strands competing but this is, at heart, a road movie of sorts. At its best, it reminded me of Paper Moon.

This is so much more than a "5".

"Ok this is not a really good movie but still worthy to watch, some camera work are weird, some scene are kind a weird too, for the acting kinda in the middle sometimes good sometimes bad, now the story is very very out of concept , the ending for me is like outta nowhere, they just use the alternative story that very unexpected, like in the beginning the movie tell that they have to work hard to get this money but in the end they just put a simple ending, kinda disappointed but still fun to watch"

Lots of greenery, beautiful houses n the fascinating blowhole. The film is about a salesman n a young kid n how the kid helps the man n teaches him to hustle. The film is listed as a comedy but there is no humor. The end scene of the blowhole is a bit far fetched.

One of the best things I've seen Andy Garcia do and it proves how versatile an actor he is. A great story about two people - one older and out of luck on many levels, and the other young and smarter than her years but alone and desperate for human contact. Each at odds with their circumstances, they come together thanks to the fearless young girl, and they bounce off each other like oil and vinegar. "Ana" (Dafne Keen) who's inexperienced view of life flips from one crazy notion to another makes you want to hug her and slap her in equal proportions. Rafa (Andy Garcia) suffering from bouts of Angina, does his best but his health is an issue and he keeps getting bested by the girl's erratic and irrepressible moods and actions. At times exasperating, her off the wall spontaneity throws him frequent curves. He goes from one sharp intake of breath to another as he tries to cope with her behaviour. He owes his bookie a deal of cash which puts extra stress on his dodgy heart adding pressure he can well do without! Sooner of later the issue must be faced with an outcome which could affect them both. There is an uneasy bond between them but for Rafa time is running out and his desperation to avoid his loan shark's threats is somewhat hopeless.....