The story doesn't really start until the two main characters start talking to one another, in the restaurant. Seriously, you can skip most of what precedes that, especially any of the stupid buffoonery scenes involving the kid. The tone of the movie changes completely once the kid starts talking with the actor, and I recommend fast forwarding to that point, over 30 minutes in. Too bad rest of my family bailed out before then.
The essence of the movie is in the conversations between the kid and the other main characters. Rest of the scenes enrich the story being told, as does the setting in the very special town of Antigua Guatemala.
The characters know more than they're letting on. Pay particular attention to talk about families. But once you realize what is going on, there are many "Why?"s. I would have like to skip the stupid beginnings, and expanded the backstories and provided more answers for all of the "Why?" questions. Among other more obvious questions, why was this whole situation set into motion by the head of the talent agency who sent the kid there?
There are some good lines, and evocative movie titles (e.g. "Garden of Suffering"), in the dialog.
