It’s easy to see why this film has been overlooked, yet it deserves far more recognition than it currently receives; after watching it, you might be surprised that such a lovely story didn't get wider attention. I wish I could have championed it for the Oscars as Spain’s entry, instead of 'Julieta'. The film was written by an Irish writer in English but produced as a Spanish movie, and features a simple yet inspiring plot—a good reason to seek out films outside of Hollywood more often. While this isn't the first film to explore similar themes, it creates a really nice atmosphere where the characters feel fully realized. Alma’s character is particularly strong, essentially carrying the story forward, which explains why the actress deserved her Goya Award. The rest of the cast delivers as well. It avoids being purely dramatic, incorporating elements of adventure, some humor, and just enough suspense to keep you engaged. The film revolves around a granddaughter-grandfather relationship connected by an ancient family tree spanning two millennia. However, the rest of their family is struggling financially on their farm, viewing the tree as a potential solution instead of a restaurant they'd planned. The granddaughter attempts to retrieve the tree at any cost, teaming up with her uncle and a friend for a cross-border adventure. It wasn’t exactly a carefully planned road trip, but things unfold naturally along the way. You anticipate certain events, but the writer has different ideas—especially concerning the Statue of Liberty, where I expected something most viewers would do in that situation. Even the ending felt less dramatic than it could have been; it would have been predictable if it were a typical film, but this one isn't. I appreciated its realism over a more cinematic or fairytale conclusion, even though some people disagree with the message conveyed. > ❝Sometimes you just have to dive in. Head first.❞ I recall reading a story somewhere—perhaps on Quora—about Giant Sequoias and how long it takes to grow new trees after wildfires. The answer was thousands of years, prompting someone to reply that we shouldn't waste any time and start planting seeds immediately. This film shares a similar moral and offers the kind of perspective we need now. I’m drawn to stories about saving trees because I believe in it—once, my Facebook profile picture displayed a quote saying 'save plants, eat meat'. I have a greater fondness for plants than animals (though I love them equally). Animals at least have a chance to move around, but plants are rooted and fixed. That’s why I only eat fruits and vegetables – plant products – rather than leaves or branches like cows and sheep. This is one reason I connected so strongly with this film. The movie doesn't dwell on the farmers’ struggles or corporate greed, showing how lifestyles diverge as the world becomes richer while farmers remain largely unchanged and corporations become increasingly extravagant. The story highlights that money can buy anything, delivering emotional moments at just the right times and introducing a slight plot twist to move the narration forward—a signal that the film is nearing its end. If you’re simply looking for entertainment, it provides that too. It seems the filmmakers aimed to satisfy all audiences: farmers, corporations, tourists, corrupt politicians – though these elements aren't explored in great depth. Everything is understandable and ultimately circles back to the tree, which remains the central focus throughout. This isn’t a film you can simply recommend; it should be seen. What we teach our children and what we do have consequences, especially now with global warming making trees so precious—even just one. Don't expect an Amazonia-style battle for survival. _8/10_

Source on TMDB