Hide Away

Not your typical "healing" movie as it leaves a lot to one's interpretation... it's deeper than you suspect at first. The beginning is slow, but once the human interaction begins it flows well. Josh Lucas is an underrated actor and I always admire James Cromwell's work. One strongpoint of this film is the outstanding cinematography... beautiful work! Also, I found the soundtrack music to be soothing. A man's long road to healing... I liked it.

It's a quiet movie. The motor on a sailboat is called an iron genny not an iron spinnaker as Lucas refers to it in the movie. Genny comes from the word genoa which is a sail, like a jib, only it's leach extends aft of the mast. Also, no sailor spins the dock lines in a spiral like Lucas does. That's a stupid habit of power boaters. Anyway, I watched because I like sailing. Not much to glean about sailing though from this movie. The point of the moving has nothing to do with sailing. I liked it though because Lucas was trying to find the answers at the bottom of the bottle. I can appreciate that. If I were to sink into a depression and come to grips with loss I'd make sure it was in a warm place. The Great Lakes are not a recommendation for a long sulking and healing.

Really enjoyed this movie. It was well acted, a good story, and very interesting watching Josh Lucas slowly resurrect the old dilapidated boat that he bought. Don't really understand the poor rating, but then I say that all the time.

Alternately titled Hide Away - which is how it found me. It took about 15 minutes to get into it, and I am so glad I did. The beginning holds us down in Josh Lucas' 'depths of despair, so I will fix a sailboat' phase. Spectacular scenery, slightly old-school cinematography and the minimal dialogue work well to sustain the journey this many goes through. We don't fully grasp the source of his pain until the end. And it is painful. (Note to parents - PG 13, however an intense, though no parts shown, love scene in last 1/4) The beautiful remoteness of the location and the characters played by Ayelet Zurer as the philosophical waitress with her own secrets, and James Cromwell as the ancient mariner support the viewer's immersive experience. The use of Longfellow's "The Children's Hour' poem was brilliant. Loved it!

This is a lovely film about forgiving yourself and finding the ways and people who help you accomplish that. Josh Lucas is brilliantly understated in his performance, which helps the viewer focus on the emotional journey he has embarked upon and is trying to find his sea legs through to survival.

It is well written, well shot and clear in its intention to cause self-reflection as we take the journey with the main character. It is a simple, quiet film so you must be ready for that and willing to allow the events to unfold before you, because you can't push the timing or the information to achieve a faster pace.

It is wonderful for those who have the patience and don't look for quick answers.