Yes, Your Tide Is Cold and Dark, Sir

This is not a "watcher's" film, by this I simply mean that the viewer must be engaged in the film and actively thinking looking for the exhibitions of the film's theme and meaning; not simply mindless and uninvolved like Die Hard (nothing wrong with Die Hard, its just a different type of movie). The movie, like any other good movie, must be seen more than once to fully grasp the implication of the themes and its deep roots manifesting themselves even in seemingly insignificant details

The beginning is somewhat slow and some of the footage has the skew of a rolling shutter which is hard to correct, it is because of this and the beginning confusion that I did not give the rating of 10/10 (I don't know of any perfect movie that deserves 10/10 anyways).

As the film progresses, however, especially towards the middle the plot as well as the meaning begin to click and the interest peaks highly. The film is full of tension and dark and beautiful imagery which, along with the dialog and plot, creates a deep tension the viewer can feel enabling empathy for the main character Cliff. The tension is not constant and is just the right amount without turning away the audience and the occasional humorous remark breaks the tension in perfect balance. The acting was excellent and better than a number of Hollywood films which helped strengthen the film's integrity and emotions, perhaps only once (if at all) did I feel that an actor did not fully portray realistic feelings and emotions and it had no impact on the story or the theme itself.

After viewing I feel there were many details and symbols I missed, especially in the opening of the film which I eagerly await to interpret with another showing. I believe the first viewing,after my pondering interpretation, will shed new light and interest on the beginning, and the whole film as a whole when viewing the movie a second time.

I didn't expect it from the beginning, but I am in love with "Yes, Your Tide is Cold and Dark Sir"

"Yes, Your Tide Is Cold and Dark, Sir" is a beautifully shot, admirably performed, and intentionally interpretive film. The story of Cliff Claitonowsky unfolds after a return to his hometown amidst a search for his father, a beloved, blue collar guitar instructor and his teenage students. The backdrop of blustery Lewes, Delaware, a sleepy seaside town, is a fitting backdrop when juxtaposed with an enigmatic relationship between father and son.

The plot takes a bit of time to develop, but upon second watch, cleverly-woven eccentricities can be found in many scenes that, when observed, really tie some pieces together. It's the type of film one must be intently focused on, as it takes some doing to get a handle on the direction of the plot.

Visually, the film comes across very moody and cold in spots and charming and authentic at other times. The shots of Rehoboth and Lewes, Delaware were beautifully composed.

At its core, "Yes, Your Tide..." is a film about yearning for answers, resolving the past, and embracing life. To that end, the film can be exceptionally personal to those who choose to find meaning in its cryptic message.

On the surface, "Yes, Your Tide Is Cold And Dark, Sir" is a complicated and somewhat circuitous story which deals with a man named Cliff and his search for his missing father, Clay, who's gone missing for months/years with a a group of his guitar students. However, this film is far deeper than a mere physical quest, as Cliff must confront both colorful and dim spiritual bromides and feelings for both his lost father and his deceased mother, and,finally, a challenging past relationship. This piece is definitely for the quick-witted. Beautiful regionalist filmmaking on a shoestring. Again, it's a contemplative film for the emotionally lost.

After watching the premiere of "Yes, your tide is cold and dark, Sir", the audience is left with an after moment of intense introspection. One's questions are never fully answered in this film, but there is a rich interweaving of the storyline reminiscent of cult classics, like Donnie Darko, where the viewer is left with an series of unsettling memories instead. Throughout this movie, there are simple moments of cinematic beauty depicting the Delaware towns of Lewes and Rehoboth that really lend this film a personality separate from other works, the audience leaves with a true sense of place. It's difficult to depict a place so that one feels connected and as though they could jump in and interact with the characters; the director engages the audience to become vested in the drama of the small-town and the results of the tragedy that envelopes it.

Throughout the movie, the elaborate depictions of human connections and their imminent disconnect is a powerful way to depict the trauma of a unnamed event. It pulls an entire community together and at the center, the main character, "Cliff" is struggling with his own emotions, intrinsically tied to the town he grew up in and the relationships within that mental space. The overlaying feelings of isolation and dramatic sensations of place are interwoven with great transitions. The pace is a little slower at times, but this is a introspective film and picks up cadence with a memorable soundtrack and great movement from scene to scene. Technically speaking, the quality editing and color work are of note, and the treatment of time creates an interesting dimension to this film.

I have watched this movie more than once because it is hard to connect all the the dots in one viewing. I still don't have all the meanings and probably never will know what was in Chris's mind as he wrote this script. But when I watch a movie I want to see something that causes me to go into deep thought about how the scenes and characters interact. If you are looking for a movie that follows a rigid time line and has a beginning, a middle, and an end, well...maybe his next movie will have that. There is however, a line in the film that goes "Have you read any Joyce Carol Oats?", "You Should". I took this as a clue. Joyce wrote a short story titled, "Where are you going, Where have you been?" After reading the story, I can see that it had a strong influence on Chris's thinking. I recommend you read this....then see this movie. The Cinematography is excellent.