Tomorrow Before After

I gave the lengthy (what I thought was going to be a prelude to a plot and/or action) beginning of the film the benefit of the doubt. That was because I am a fan of the genre, and because the actress performed well with what she was given.

Unfortunately, her performance was the only plus. Well, I added a third star because I love dogs, and her co-star helped rescue the movie from utter oblivion.

Few actors can carry a film that's essentially a monologue, especially one with a politically correct theme. She did decently with that enormous challenge, but the plot never proved convincing, and the ending simply didn't deliver.

Sad... I really did want to like it.

More than a movie, Tomorrow Before After is an encounter with our fears, but also with our hope.

From the beginning to the end it makes us think on how self-destructive we can be, but also on the wonderful power we have to start over and transform our destiny.

The sound and its soundtrack become the perfect partner for Natalia, helping us to feel firsthand the internal struggle of the protagonist.

Apocalyptic locations, impeccable art direction and a great cinematography, show us that Colombia is a perfect place to produce movies.

When we reach the last scene of the film, we can understand that the end is nothing more than the opportunity to start over.

From start to finish this movie keeps you captivated by the story of a woman who finds herself alone after a great destruction on the planet. The film allows the audience to feel what would happen in the event that a person was left alone as the only survivor. The actress, through her performance, manages to convey the emotions of a human being when she finds herself alone in the world, with no one around her to talk to, interact with or ask for help, she only finds a dog who becomes her best company and friend. It is a film that has great production values, from the script, direction, acting, sound, music, effects and photography. Definitely a great piece of the film industry produced and filmed in Colombia.

Alfonso Quijada's Tomorrow Before After is a powerful testament to his journey as an artist. Known for his ability to infuse deep emotion into every frame, Quijada has created a visually stunning post-apocalyptic world that feels both intimate and vast. His direction here is nothing short of masterful, guiding the audience through a story that is as much about survival as it is about the resilience of the human spirit.

Natalia Reyes delivers an extraordinary performance, embodying her character with such depth and vulnerability that you can't help but be drawn into her struggle. Her ability to convey a wide range of emotions with subtlety and strength adds a layer of intensity to the film that resonates long after the credits roll.

A surprising standout is Blake Lobo, the dog who plays a pivotal role alongside Reyes. His presence adds warmth and companionship in an otherwise desolate world, serving as both a protector and a symbol of hope.

Quijada's film is a haunting exploration of isolation, but it's the emotional connections between Reyes and Blake Lobo that truly elevate it, making Tomorrow Before After a memorable and moving experience.

This is a saga and, I can definitely see this chapter as a Love it or hate it one. It is not everyone who would have the set of mind of sitting down to watch just a couple of characters interact and specially, watching one of them while she loses her mind due to bizarre yet, understandable situations.

I took this movie as an empathetic path of walking the characters' journey with her; as a human, as a woman, as a mother. Also, it is a game of wondering since you must keep your mind open to not getting all the answers.

We are used to all too fast, too full and, sometimes, too obvious content. This movie definitely has a different angle.

I can also appreciate a movie of this technical level being brought to Colombia with so much love. I had the privilege of listening first hand, at the Cartagena 62nd Film Festival, how this movie was shot during the pandemic and under quite extreme circumstances.