Watch The Garden Left Behind

The Garden Left Behind is a powerful and moving drama film from 2019. The movie, directed by Flavio Alves, stars Carlie Guevara in her first leading role as Tina, a young trans woman living in New York City with her grandmother, Eliana (Miriam Cruz). As she navigates the challenges of her everyday life, Tina must also confront the realities of discrimination and violence faced by the transgender community.

The film begins with a shot of Tina walking through the bustling streets of New York, set to the sounds of traffic and the city's many languages. As she makes her way home, she chats with her best friend, Carol (Tamara M. Williams), and takes care of Eliana. Along the way, she encounters various people who either embrace or reject her for who she is.

One of the film's central themes is the difficulty of finding acceptance as a transgender person. Tina's relationship with her mother, for example, is strained after her transition, and her mother is unable to understand or accept her daughter's new identity. This tension is a source of pain and hurt for Tina, who longs for her mother's love and approval.

The Garden Left Behind also explores the challenges of accessing medical care and the barriers that stand in the way of transgender people seeking such care. This is highlighted in a scene where Tina and Eliana visit a clinic, only to be turned away when the receptionist assumes that Tina is a man.

The film is also a reflection on the violence that many transgender people face, particularly trans women of color. Tina becomes the victim of a hate crime, and the aftermath of this event propels the story forward, as she struggles to come to terms with what has happened and to find a way to move forward.

Throughout the film, Guevara delivers a powerful performance as Tina, conveying the character's vulnerability and determination with equal conviction. Michael Madsen and Edward Asner make supporting appearances as unlikely allies of Tina, each offering her a different kind of support and encouragement.

The Garden Left Behind is a film that tackles difficult and important subject matter with compassion, intelligence, and grace. It is a sensitive exploration of the human toll of bigotry and intolerance, and an eye-opening glimpse into the daily struggles faced by members of the transgender community. Throughout the film, the camera lingers on Tina's face, capturing the many emotions that flicker across it as she navigates the ups and downs of her life. By the end of the movie, viewers will feel as though they have been on an emotional journey with her.

Overall, The Garden Left Behind is a profound and thought-provoking film that sheds light on an often marginalized community. Its message of inclusivity and acceptance is a powerful one, and its central character is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the human heart. Anyone who sees this film is likely to come away from it with a greater understanding of the struggles faced by the transgender community, and with a renewed commitment to empathy and understanding.

The Garden Left Behind is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 55.