Watch After Words

After Words is a heartfelt drama film from 2015 that revolves around the life of Jane (Marcia Gay Harden), a librarian who is grappling with a personal crisis. The film takes us on a journey of self-discovery and self-fulfillment as Jane travels to Costa Rica to learn Spanish. The film opens with Jane's life in a state of upheaval, as her husband has recently passed away. She is lost and alone, struggling to find her sense of purpose. Jane decides to channel her grief into something positive and takes a leave of absence from work to travel to Costa Rica to learn the Spanish language. She chooses Costa Rica simply because of its language immersion program which promises total immersion in a Spanish-speaking environment.

Upon arriving in Costa Rica, Jane meets Juan (Oscar Torres), her charismatic and very handsome language instructor. Despite having reservations about Juan, Jane continues with the program and even starts to enjoy herself. Juan introduces Jane to the local culture, and they explore the countryside together during their free time.

Through her daily interactions with the locals and the challenges of learning a new language, Jane begins to change. She becomes more open to new experiences, and more confident in herself. She even starts to think about her future, reimagining her life in a way that she had never done before.

As Jane begins to adapt to her new environment, she meets Ana (Ron Canada), a local bookstore owner who becomes a friend and father-figure to her. Ana helps Jane navigate the unfamiliar streets and helps her explore the local culture. He also introduces her to his granddaughter, Devi (Yvette Thor), a bright and inquisitive young girl who has never been to school.

As Jane becomes more and more invested in Costa Rican life, she begins to realize the importance of education and the role of literature in shaping young minds. Jane decides to use her expertise as a librarian to start teaching Devi and some other local kids about literature, language, and education.

Through teaching, Jane finds a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in life. She becomes more engaged with the world around her and more daring in her pursuits. As her time in Costa Rica comes to an end, Jane undergoes a transformation, emerging as a changed woman who is ready to start a new chapter in her life.

After Words is a beautifully crafted film with stunning scenery and captivating performances from its cast. Marcia Gay Harden brings depth and sincerity to her role, while Oscar Torres gives a magnetic and exotic performance as Juan. Ron Canada is a joy to watch as Ana, his fatherly charm and wisdom grounding the film in a sense of community and family.

The film's themes of self-discovery and finding purpose in life are universal and deeply relatable. The story is well-paced, and the characters are well-rounded and fully realized. Overall, After Words is a touching exploration of life, love, and the power of education to open doors and change lives. The movie offers a hopeful message that it is never too late to reinvent oneself and find meaning and fulfillment in life.

After Words is a 2015 drama. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 35.