Waiting for Anya

Waiting for Anya is a rather bland affair. Given the dangers faced by Jo and Benjamin, there's little in the way of suspense and the uninitiated would hardly appreciate [it]...

Budget limitations, tonal inconsistencies and several creaky supporting performances are just some of the elements that scupper this worthy if ultimately inept Michael Morpurgo adaptation.

The film is gorgeous to look at, all alpine meadow flowers and glorious green mountains. But the drama loses momentum pretty early on.

It's the kind of film that's good news for anyone with a book report due on the source, but can't be recommended under any other circumstances.

Despite the obvious sincerity of the filmmakers, the best efforts of Jean Reno and Anjelica Huston, and some lovely scenery, it remains overly didactic.

This adaptation of Michael Morpugo's children's novel means well, but its insipid approach to history makes watching it feel like a homework assignment.

Some are sure to see the film as too sanitized and not harsh enough in its depictions. But Cookson tells a very specific story that doesn’t need to visually emphasize the horrors.

If broken up into six episodes for TV or streaming, it would be the sort of historical children's drama that used to be commonplace.

Unfortunately, the performance from Noah Schnapp isn't very good. Even more unfortunately, neither are most of the other lead turns, including those from the great Jean Reno and Anjelica Huston, who is also great, just not here.

[An] earnest, yet solid family-friendly tale of bravery in the face of evil.