Beloved Tropic is Panama’s official submission for the Oscars this year. The story follows Ana María, a Colombian immigrant in Panama City who’s pregnant and hiding a secret. She takes a job caring for Mercedes, a wealthy Panamanian woman whose life is unraveling because of dementia. As their worlds slowly merge, the film aims to show class, care, ageing and loneliness.
The acting is the strongest part. Jenny Navarrete as Ana María and Paulina García as Mercedes bring genuine warmth and complexity. They carry the film.
I don’t know, it had this “documentary-ish feel” with long takes, ambient sound, and quiet moments. I guess , the director used the tropical setting and the silence of memory like a character itself!
However, there are parts that didn’t work for me. The pace is very slow, the long pauses and silences sometimes feel too stretched. I found myself waiting rather than immersed. That pacing may be deliberate, but it meant I didn’t feel fully drawn in.
Also, while the film offers an honest look at class difference, ageing and immigrant experience, at times the emotional connection doesn’t hit as hard as it should. The two leads share strong moments, but the script leaves certain storylines under-examined.
All that said, I think Beloved Tropic is not bad. It’s a thoughtful, gentle film and for many viewers it may resonate deeply. For me it had too much stillness and not enough drive. If you love subtle cinema that lingers and reflects, you’ll find value here. If you prefer stronger momentum and clearer arcs, this might feel sluggish.