Waiting for Anya is a rather bland affair. Given the dangers faced by Jo and Benjamin, there's little in the way of suspense and the uninitiated would hardly appreciate [it]...

Budget limitations, tonal inconsistencies and several creaky supporting performances are just some of the elements that scupper this worthy if ultimately inept Michael Morpurgo adaptation.

The film is gorgeous to look at, all alpine meadow flowers and glorious green mountains. But the drama loses momentum pretty early on.

Considering the target audience for this film is children, I’m somewhat willing to begrudgingly forgive its many missteps. Its many missteps. And missteps is wording it, shall we say, lightly.