“Bring Me an Avocado” is written and directed by Maria Mealla. It follows a family and group of friends who must learn to cope with a tragic event.
We’ve seen movies about families coping with death, dealing with someone who’s severely ill (mentally or physically), or a family member who has a disability. But this film tackles a family and group of friends coping with someone in a coma. Not only does this film remind you how fragile life can be but it also places you in this family’s shoes, taking you on an unforgettable journey.
It’s Robin’s (Sarah Burkhalter) birthday, and her husband George (Bernardo Peña) and two daughters are working hard to prepare a surprise birthday party. In the meantime, Robin is spending the afternoon with her two best friends, Greece (Molly Ratermann) and Jada (Candace Roberts). As she heads back home to her surprise birthday party an unexpected series of events occur. Robin is shot in front of her family as she opens the door. She’s taken to the hospital where her family is notified that she’s fallen into a coma.
This is where the film turns, temporarily, into a character study of her husband George, who masterfully carries this film on his shoulders with a strong moving performance from Peña. The performances from all of the cast are superb. The two girls who portray the daughters are adorable and shine every time they’re on screen; they are some of the best child actors I’ve seen recently.
“Bring Me an Avocado” showcases how George must find a way to balance fatherhood with his work and being a husband. How do you put on a brave face for your children to provide them a sense of security and comfort while internally dealing with various emotions, including the possibility of becoming a widower? The story brilliantly showcases the different scenarios a parent experiences. For instance, George has to become a single father for the first time and must find a balance with cooking, doing housework, getting his daughters ready for school and working. I became intrigued when Robin’s two closest friends slowly began to be a consistent source of help to such an extent that George began to feel invaded within his own home. By having such complex characters experiencing real-life scenarios, the series of events in this film feel authentic and relatable.
The film also dives into those questions many of us (who’ve experienced a similar scenario) have questioned ourselves. Is it okay for us to laugh and enjoy time while a family member is hospitalized? The story is full of emotional, thought-provoking and even funny moments that will stay with you after the film ends.
I love how life — any type of life — is important, and regardless of size and species every living organism has a purpose and deserves a decent farewell. Just when I thought I had figured out the outcome of this film it does the unimaginable and finds a way to further surprise you. The last 20 minutes of this film will feel like an emotional rollercoaster that, once it takes off, you can’t stop it nor predict its outcome.
Overall “Bring Me an Avocado” is a heartfelt, moving film that lets you experience the human connection of a family and group of friends. With its beautiful editing and smart script, this film will leave you contemplating your own life, leaving you inspired to go out there and make the best of it (including eating avocado toast). I highly recommend watching it.
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Rosa is a Rotten Tomatoes certified film critic who’s passionate about advocating for Latinx and female representation. She’s the co-founder and co-host of the podcast Latinx Lens, which is focused on representation and contribution of the Latinx community in Television and Film industry. She’s the assistant editor of ITOL (In Their Own League), a site and podcast dedicated to highlight women in the industry. She’s proud member of HCA (Hollywood Critics Association), LEJA (Latino Entertainment Journalists Association), OAFFC (Online Association of Female Film Critics). She’s a coffee addict that unapologetically loves pineapple on her pizza.