“Having a child is not a shield against life’s challenges,” so says Mechi (played by Paulina Garcia) to Ana Maria (portrayed by Jenny Navarrete), in Ana Endara’s sensitive drama, “Beloved Tropic.” This word of wisdom is shared during a moment of lucidity, as Mechi’s health declines due to dementia. The two women come together due to Ana Maria’s uncertain immigration status. Necessitating steady employment to stay in Panama after fleeing Colombia three years earlier, the expectant caregiver believed a child might improve her situation if she didn’t get approval on time. This sets the tone for a narrative in which Endara’s characters encounter an unexpected sanctuary.
“Beloved Tropic” has all the makings of a traditional, heart-rending drama but is enhanced by little hints of life, such as the orchids that bloom amidst the greenery in Mechi’s backyard. The film begins with an offer from Mechi’s child, Jimena (played by Juliette Roy), to hire Ana Maria for a modest weekly pay, assuring her that their lawyer would handle her immigration issues if everything worked out. Ana Maria is never overly eager to accept the offer, though her immigration papers remain a constant concern mirrored in her supposedly expanding abdomen, which turns out to be a ruse. Still, her 16 years of elderly care experience pays off; Mechi grows fond of her, something previous caregivers failed to achieve. Mechi is a self-made woman living in an alternate universe, marked not just by her deteriorating mind but also a life cushioned by affluence.
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Mechi’s condition deteriorates over time, yet an authentic rapport develops between her and Ana Maria, which persuades Jimena to promote Ana Maria to a permanent role. This move illustrates the type of rapport Mechi upholds with her offspring who’ve distanced themselves by using her wealth, leaving only her housemaid Cristina at her dwelling. Despite similar tales of caregivers softening grumpy elderly hearts being cinematic clichés, Endara, along with co-writer Pilar Moreno, discover an engaging approach to delve into a relationship dynamic that is neither familial nor particularly friendly, yet profoundly significant. As the story unfolds, Mechi offers as much solace to Ana Maria as she obtains, causing both to feel centered and less estranged from their kin. Obviously, this process only ensues following a series of trials posed by Mechi to Ana Maria, who though often forgetful, still retains her shrewdness.
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Paulina García and Jenny Navarrete deliver powerful performances that prevent the film from being overly somber. Although director Ana Endara attempts to transcend the ordinary by doing more than just portraying the meeting of minds between Mechi and Ana Maria, at times the narrative goes into unnecessary detail. For example, Ana Maria’s obligatory visits to a maternity hospital where she feigns pregnancy and where casual conversations with other patients invariably lead to discussions about parenthood seem awkwardly contrived to serve an overarching theme rather than the storyline. This stands out more considering the director’s generally skillful depiction of character psychology and the surrounding world. At times, Ana Maria’s past life in Colombia is summoned simply by the sound of ocean waves, Mechi’s decline becoming evident in the reactions of those who knew her in her prime. Instead of melodrama, “Beloved Tropic” opts for tranquility which its characters eventually find in each other, hence providing its audience with a sense of peace that the characters themselves struggle to attain, an aspect that makes this film particularly satisfying to watch.
FAQs:
1. What is the central theme of “Beloved Tropic”?
The central theme of “Beloved Tropic” is the unexpected bond that develops between Mechi, a dementia sufferer, and her caregiver Ana Maria, amidst the struggles of immigration and personal concerns.
2. Who are the main actors in the movie?
The movie features Paulina García as Mechi, Jenny Navarrete as Ana Maria, and Juliette Roy as Mechi’s daughter, Jimena.
3. Who is the director of “Beloved Tropic”?
Ana Endara directed the movie “Beloved Tropic”.
4. How does the movie “Beloved Tropic” end?
The movie reflects on the comfort and peace the characters find in each other despite their personal struggles, presenting a satisfying resolution for the audience.
Credit: variety.com
