Beyond What Remains

The world of "art" films often produces quirky and cutting-edge films,but more often than not they seem to be simply vehicles for a directors private peccadillos. "Beyond What Remains" is not this type of film. The story is moving and elegant in its focus. The acting by the two leads, Tharos and Chavez, was terrific. What really sets it apart from other "arty" films is that the development of the characters, their relationship, and the story takes center stage (not some personal stake in stamping ones 'style' on a film). "Beyond" is not simply a classic. It has a quality of timelessness in its cinematography and plot and takes the viewer into a world that is both foreign (the stunning deserts of Mexico) and familiar (the heartbreaks over love and family and fear and vulnerability that we all share). "Beyond" may become a standard in film school courses. It is just that good. The sensitive and incredibly expressive acting of Peter Tharos and Nora Chavez pulled me into their quest for love and resolution. I cried at the end, but they were not tears of sadness, they were tears of hope. "Beyond" also provided a thoroughly enjoyable date night movie and while it was not big budget, it reminded me of "The English Patient" and "Out of Africa" in many ways: the stunning scenery, the slow opening of the hearts and lives of the characters to the audience, the expansiveness, and the theme -- that what we gain through loss can be transformative and even worth-it (despite the pain) if we just open ourselves to our courage.

Peter Tharos and team have made such a beautiful movie. On the surface it's a road trip movie, (who doesn't love a good road trip movie!), but you've never seen one quite like this before. It's quirky and meaningful and really quite funny throughout. Most of the film is in black and white and so beautifully shot that at points it takes your breath away. The performances are fantastic in that way that makes you wonder why the actors aren't known yet. The ending satisfyingly pulls at the heart strings if a little abrupt for my taste. I'm not suggesting it's a perfect movie. I noticed the score on a couple of occasions coming forward more than I'd like or not as much as I'd like. The odd meandering moment, sure. But the thing to note here is that this is Tharos' first film. It's a massive indie undertaking and it's almost astounding how good it is given the scope of the movie. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. This film is definitely worth your time.

I saw this movie at a film festival recently in Toronto and I loved it. For a move that was only recently done, it feels like a great European movie from the past.

The acting was amazing in it, and the cinematography was stunning. The large vistas of Mexico really captured the beauty of the country.

The lead actors did a great job. They gave Hollywood caliber performances.

For a "small" movie about regular people, it had a size to it that was really remarkable.

Highly recommend it.

As the opening credits rolled, I wondered how long it would take for me to start caring. Caring about the storyline and the characters. I was cynical, after all it was filmed in black and white and in a language that I am only capable of ordering beers in. The film gently picked on my curiosity and empathy, so gently that as I was admiring the way the light bounced off of the blacks, whites and grays of the scene, flatly defining the tone of the story unfolding, I found myself falling in love. The character's stories were genuine and relatable. The depth of sadness and beauty of life's small wonders were reflected brilliantly by the two main actors. This film left me not wanting more, It was as perfect and poignant as a story can be.

Wow, I was really blown away by this film! I was taken on a wild emotional journey from beginning to end. I found my self engaged in a fair amount of self examination of my own by the end! There is nothing, and I mean nothing predictable about this film. Beyond What Remains explores the complexities of a father-son relationship and the fall out from closely guarded secrets. The raw pain of a love affair discarded and unfulfilled is also sensitively exposed. While a mother's enduring and pure love for her child is beautifully presented in this film. These themes of love and loss are thoughtfully and exquisitely rendered. The vast and arid Mexican landscape is stunning and expertly shot. It provides a perfect backdrop for the precarious journey Fernando and Teresa have taken together. Peter Tharos offers a wonderfully nuanced performance as Fernando. His conflicted feelings about his father and his own legacy brim perfectly to the surface. Nora Medina Chavez as Teresa expertly portrayed a difficult life can awry. I was so unexpectedly emotionally impacted by this film. Beyond What Remains reminds us of the enduring and healing power of love and the preciousness of life. I just can't recommend this movie highly enough...It really is a gem!