Waiting for Anya

Name: Waiting for Anya
Genre: Drama, Thriller, War
Released: February 7, 2020
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 38
Cast: Anjelica Huston, Elsa Zylberstein, Frederick Schmidt, Gilles Marini, Jean Reno

2020

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

See All

6.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.4	Your Score
6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

Vertical Entertainment | Release Date: February 7, 2020 | Not Rated

Starring: Anjelica Huston, Elsa Zylberstein, Frederick Schmidt, Gilles Marini, Jean Reno, Joséphine de La Baume, Nicholas Rowe, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Frost, Thomas Kretschmann, Tómas Lemarquis

Summary: Adapted from the novel by the author of War Horse, Waiting for Anya follows Jo Lalande (Noah Schnapp), a thirteen-year-old shepherd boy, and reclusive widow Horcada (Anjelica Huston), who come together with their village to help smuggle Jewish children into Spain during the harrows of WWII.

Director: Ben Cookson

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, War

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 109 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Nell Minow

Feb 7, 2020

Despite the obvious sincerity of the filmmakers, the best efforts of Jean Reno and Anjelica Huston, and some lovely scenery, it remains overly didactic, talking down to even the middle school audience it is aimed at. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Feb 5, 2020

Despite its laudable intentions, Waiting for Anya proves less impactful than it should be. The film certainly doesn't have the thematic weight of "War Horse," another film (and acclaimed stage play) based on a war-themed book by Morpurgo that was geared to young readers. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

Feb 6, 2020

Waiting for Anya is not so sentimental that it imagines every character can escape death. But it has little use for complexity. Read full review

The Guardian Cath Clarke

Feb 26, 2020

The film is gorgeous to look at, all alpine meadow flowers and glorious green mountains. But the drama loses momentum pretty early on. Read full review

Kimber Myers

Feb 6, 2020

The film’s heart appears to be in the right place, but its missteps and melodrama make this a fromage unworthy of savoring. Read full review

SEE ALL 5 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

ShaneDavid

Aug 8, 2020

Obsessed with WW2 pics. Never seen such a beautiful film with such a low score. I think it comes down to the treatment of the Nazi's. There is a sympathetic character. Critics response was... god forbid. Actually refreshing to see what is likely a reality, that some Nazi's were in a positionObsessed with WW2 pics. Never seen such a beautiful film with such a low score. I think it comes down to the treatment of the Nazi's. There is a sympathetic character. Critics response was... god forbid. Actually refreshing to see what is likely a reality, that some Nazi's were in a position of weakness, and only wanted to survive. The picture is beyond gorgeous, the acting perfection and highlights the moral goodness in humankind. A nice change from what's available on the world crisis that was WW2. Now back to the opposite view. Season 5 of The French Village. Highly recommend this film "Waiting For Anya". Reminds me of how It's a Wonderful Life was panned on release, but is a worthy classic today.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mauro_Lanari

Oct 30, 2021

(Mauro Lanari)
Another film about the Shoah: well-intentioned but underwhelming because it does not know how to sufficiently deviate from its literary origin.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 2 REVIEWS