After Words - A Movie Review

Adventures clear the mind from stress.

After Words is a 2015 romantic drama. Jane, an unhappy woman, takes a trip to Costa Rica. Her original plans for traveling have different intentions, but her tour guide, Juan changes things. Juan takes her to every location in the country, helping Jane out of her shell.

I am thankful for movies about mental health. After Words is a saving grace for anyone searching for help. Sometimes an adventure is all we need to relieve us from dark thoughts or unhappiness. Where is the beauty in a wasted life?

Marcia Gay Harden is a wonderful actress. She is versatile, having played both good and bad personas. Harden plays Jane, a lonely librarian who struggles with depression. Harden does a tremendous job emoting this character’s feelings, wanting help but unsure how to ask.

We meet people for a reason. Juan is a kind and intelligent person who helps Jane out of her comfort zone. The world needs more people like Juan as mental health advocates. Oscar Jaenada is wonderful in the role and has great chemistry with Harden. Although Jane bears steel walls, he is patient, never forcing her into things.

The dialogue is natural between them. Jane and Juan have distinct personalities, examining an intriguing dynamic of extrovert vs. introvert. Because of Jane’s love for reading, they talk a lot about books. That’s one of my favorite topics.

I had no idea Jenna Ortega played Juan’s young daughter, Anna, until the end credits. Even as a child Ortega was a natural. Anna is a curious child who has embraced her father’s adventurous personality.

Viewers are taken on a tropic vacation to Costa Rica. It was filmed on location in Manuel Antonio, Quepos, and Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. City scenes were filmed in Los Angeles, California. Most scenes were filmed in Portasol which thankfully had an Internet connection, a saving grace for filmmakers.

“Pura Vida” or ‘pure life’ is a popular Costa Rica saying. Vacations are excellent times to escape reality and find answers. They’re also a chance to meet new people and make connections. There’s always something fun to do, like go on drives, zipline, and enjoy bird-watching.

Filmmakers weren’t being subtle with all the nature shots of this beautiful location, featuring rainforests and beaches. In contrast to Jane, I love going to the beach. Spending time in nature is also a necessity. I like the quote included from the late Anne Frank in the epilogue.

Editors do a notable job with the film, gradually enhancing the lighting in the setting or the characters. I also noticed that once Jane leaves the city, the pacing is faster. It’s a subtle hint of how we need to take a break from our day-to-day routine. Filmmakers also add symbolism through color, like the hotel room’s blue walls, representing Jane’s sadness.

One thing that should have happened gradually was Jane’s physical appearance. Jane’s physical appearance is unkempt. Instead of going to a hair salon to get a new makeover, her appearance should have happened more gradually. Now that Jane has help, she could have changed herself the way she wanted to.

After Words is a movie about finding yourself again. I was worried about Jane’s mental health, coming close to committing suicide. Mental health is a priority now more than ever. In his directorial debut, Juan Feldman highlights how necessary finding help is and not end your life. It’s important to try new things.

For any adventure enthusiast, After Words is a heartwarming drama. It’s a film for anyone who enjoys traveling or mental health-related stories.