Beyond What Remains

The world of "art" films often produces quirky and cutting-edge films,but more often than not they seem to be simply vehicles for a directors private peccadillos. "Beyond What Remains" is not this type of film. The story is moving and elegant in its focus. The acting by the two leads, Tharos and Chavez, was terrific. What really sets it apart from other "arty" films is that the development of the characters, their relationship, and the story takes center stage (not some personal stake in stamping ones 'style' on a film). "Beyond" is not simply a classic. It has a quality of timelessness in its cinematography and plot and takes the viewer into a world that is both foreign (the stunning deserts of Mexico) and familiar (the heartbreaks over love and family and fear and vulnerability that we all share). "Beyond" may become a standard in film school courses. It is just that good. The sensitive and incredibly expressive acting of Peter Tharos and Nora Chavez pulled me into their quest for love and resolution. I cried at the end, but they were not tears of sadness, they were tears of hope. "Beyond" also provided a thoroughly enjoyable date night movie and while it was not big budget, it reminded me of "The English Patient" and "Out of Africa" in many ways: the stunning scenery, the slow opening of the hearts and lives of the characters to the audience, the expansiveness, and the theme -- that what we gain through loss can be transformative and even worth-it (despite the pain) if we just open ourselves to our courage.