Just saw this movie on Netflix, and checked the critics' reviews afterwards. What I saw reinforces my belief that critics should be read, if at all, with a kilo of salt. I'm so glad I didn't listen to them.
Although some aspects of the movie were somewhat predictable, that didn't detract from the story, which was well-paced. The great ensemble cast were good -- superb in a number of scenes, and the emotionalism was honest, not "treacly" as one critic sniped. The hard realities of life and death, and the magic of enduring beauty were well portrayed.