Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Career woman softens in sunny Spain; language, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mango
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In MANGO, Laerke (Josephine Park) works for Danish hotel development mogul Joan. Laerke is directed by her boss to drop everything and fly to Malaga, Spain, to procure a property for another resort development. Divorced, career-obsessed, and an absent mom, Laerke must abandon plans for the vacation she promised to her college-age daughter Agnes (Josephine Hojbjerg). She drags the understandably-miffed Agnes to Malaga with her. Laerke directs her attention to completing her assignment. The task is more difficult than described. The hitch is that the property is a working mango plantation owned and run by a smart, no-nonsense Dane named Alex (Dar Salim), who refuses to sell. Joan insists Laerke seal the deal by any means necessary.
Is It Any Good?
Mango is a sweet story reminiscent of Under the Tuscan Sun and other tales of redemption under the influence of nature and a slower pace of living. The film's big challenge is believably altering the wholly unlikable Laerke and transforming her into the likable person who emerges in time to make us care. Daughter Agnes is generous enough to embrace that new version of her previously self-absorbed mom. Laerke's new personality also makes it possible for a nice guy to fall for her, setting this firmly in the romance category.
Don't look for ground-breaking writing, directing, or acting. Dar Salim is the standout performer here based on pure charisma. Direction by Danish/Iranian director Mehdi Avaz's is workmanlike but he's returned to familiar territory as this resembles his 2022 Toscana. Once it becomes clear that Alex is an incredibly decent and caring person, we are free to root for the conversion of Laerke from spokeswoman for corporate greed to a warm-hearted advocate of decency and eco-friendly living. Happily ever after becomes an item on the agenda.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way kids react to parents who don't seem to have time for them. What behaviors of Agnes parallel the way a neglected child might act out?
What stereotypes does this film promote about working mothers? What other movies have you seen about a hardworking woman choosing a quieter life in the country?
How does the movie communicate that Alex is a good man?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 7, 2025
- Cast : Josephine Park , Dar Salim , Josephine Hojbjerg
- Director : Mehdi Avaz
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Family Stories ( Moms ) , Travel
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : November 10, 2025
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