In a nursing home, nurse Baker (Lauren Holly) assigns Mina Ayoub (Ana Golja) to care for Luis Garcia (Louis Gossett Jr.), a Cuban musician suffering from dementia. She tries to connect with his music. Bano Ayoub (Shohreh Aghdashloo) is her progressive mother who is still holding onto her Afghan home. Her cousin sets her up with Kris (Giacomo Gianniotti).
The Notebook uses flashbacks to add life to a confined drama. This one is trying to use Mina's personal life. That's the weaker half of this movie. I don't find the romance all that compelling. It doesn't have much heat. What would be more compelling is Luis' life in Cuba. If only they could film half of the movie there. As for LGJ, I love his face and its age. I find his recovery a little abrupt. I do like the son's conflict with him, but it needs more space. There are various elements being thrown into the pot. All of it is commendable, but the movie needs more cohesive tension. This is an admirable try.
The Notebook uses flashbacks to add life to a confined drama. This one is trying to use Mina's personal life. That's the weaker half of this movie. I don't find the romance all that compelling. It doesn't have much heat. What would be more compelling is Luis' life in Cuba. If only they could film half of the movie there. As for LGJ, I love his face and its age. I find his recovery a little abrupt. I do like the son's conflict with him, but it needs more space. There are various elements being thrown into the pot. All of it is commendable, but the movie needs more cohesive tension. This is an admirable try.