SummaryAdapted 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.
Directed By:Ben Cookson
Written By:Michael Morpurgo, Toby Torlesse, Ben Cookson
Waiting for Anya
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
38
User score
Generally Favorable
6.4
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
80% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
20% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Feb 7, 2020
50
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.
Feb 5, 2020
50
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.
Feb 26, 2020
40
The film is gorgeous to look at, all alpine meadow flowers and glorious green mountains. But the drama loses momentum pretty early on.
Feb 6, 2020
40
Waiting for Anya is not so sentimental that it imagines every character can escape death. But it has little use for complexity.
Feb 6, 2020
30
The film’s heart appears to be in the right place, but its missteps and melodrama make this a fromage unworthy of savoring.
User score
Generally Favorable
60% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
20% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
20% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Aug 8, 2020
9
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 ****. There is a sympathetic character. Critics response was... god forbid. Actually refreshing to see what is likely a reality, that some **** 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.
Oct 30, 2021
4
(Mauro Lanari)
Another film about the Shoah: well-intentioned but underwhelming because it does not know how to sufficiently deviate from its literary origin.
Production Company:
- Bad Penny Productions
- Goldfinch Family Films
- Artémis Productions
- 13 Films
- Fourth Culture Films
Release Date:Feb 7, 2020
Duration:1 h 49 m
Tagline:War Has No Escape
Website:
Awards
MovieGuide Awards
• 3 Nominations
