Waiting for Anya

In the French Pyrenees during World War II, a young shepherd boy named Jo Lalande and his grandfather secretly help Jewish refugees escape the Nazis by crossing the treacherous mountains into neutral Spain. Inspired by the true story of Anya, a young girl who made the dangerous journey, Jo finds courage he never knew he had as he risks his life to save others.

Waiting for Anya received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding the film's narrative uneven and its emotional impact lacking. While some praised its intentions and Noah Jupe's performance, others felt the adaptation of the novel struggled to fully capture the tension and significance of the historical events it depicted.

• Praised for its noble intentions and the performances of its young lead, Noah Jupe.

• Criticized for a slow pace and a lack of emotional depth despite its serious subject matter.

• Felt like a missed opportunity to fully explore the harrowing true story of wartime escape.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a heartwarming and important story, with many appreciating its message of courage and hope during wartime. Some viewers felt it was a bit predictable, but the overall sentiment was positive, with praise for the acting and the historical context.

The film is based on the 1990 young adult novel 'Farewell to a Mountain' by Michael Morpurgo, who also wrote 'War Horse'.