Isabel's Garden

I wasn't expecting it but two tears rolled down my cheek toward the end of the movie. There were a couple of scenes that were just so real and raw that I had to write this review. It's rare to get that in cinema anymore. I really appreciate the cast in this movie and the deep dive into how relationships can help you heal and get through hard times. Somehow this film also touches upon female relationships in revealing how competition doesn't serve women. Each character meant something in this film and had a unique connection and storyline with the main characters. I found that kind of writing impressive.

Loved the authenticity of the movie.

The story is very strong and really moved me.

I was really sobbing by the end of the movie.

One sentence of the movie stuck with me.

" I never told you it was ok to love her"

It felt that very often we don't voice many ok things to do to our children, our partners or our friends, including many feelings that are considered being bad when they are only normal to have.

It meant to me that giving permission to feel (whatever the feeling may be) was a wonderful gift.

Finally, knowing that director Kit Rich has been on the stepmom journey hersel, I really love how she showed it was ok to have a blended family that can love one another without conflicts.

It is a very hopeful movie.

I had the chance to see Kit Rich's first feature film at the Los Angeles Film Festival, and I was blown away. The film is beautifully written and directed, with amazing strong female leads. Kit did an incredible job amplifying the voices of women from different backgrounds and ages. The actors were phenomenal, and the way the film portrays blended families is both refreshing and real. It's a heartwarming and inspiring story about unexpected friendships, family bonds, and the empowering choices women make to shape their own stories. While it deals with loss, it also has so much hope and joy woven in.

"Isabel's Garden" is one of those films that hits you right in the feels. Watching the characters grapple with loss and find the courage to create a new kind of family has stuck with me since I saw a screening at the LA Film Festival. Each actor brought nuance to their character's journey - it was cathartic watching them learn and grow. Jayne Taini's Grace was the perfect curmudgeon turned mother figure. Gabriela Flores, as the title character, is an incredibly emotionally attuned young actress, I can't wait to see what she does next! As Maya, Karen David knocked it out of the park and I connected so deeply with her struggles to find work-life balance, accept her new reality and commit to the family she has found. Writer/director Kit Rich has a strong point of view and effortlessly wove each character together in her fantastic feature film debut. I can't wait for this film to stream so I can share it with my nieces!

What can I say about this movie? I'm not a person who cares for tears. Here, however, it's a wallop of emotion. Family. Love. Forgiveness. Reflection. Loss. I can go and on. I cheered for the protagonists. Then I cried and cried because I found myself caring for each of their journies. The director does a beautiful job of telling this story and bringing it along. I am glad I waited for parts of this story to develop. I won't go into who deals with loss and who ended up having to reflect. That's for the viewer to find out. The ending was worth it. This first time director knew her story and how to tell it.