Run the Tide

A story of two brothers whose mother is about to get out of prison after serving time for what seems to be a history of drug abuse, but the story never tells you what she really did time for. Long story short, the older son finding out his mother is about to be let out of prison, and not wanting to have anything to do with her and wanting to spare his younger brother from all the pain he suffered by his mother, decides to pack and leave right before she gets out. From there the journey unfolds of the past hurts, resentment and struggle the divided family has to deal with. I like movies like this because I too am a thirty year recovered substance abuser and now truly the know detriment it does to a family, especially when it comes to regaining trust. Anyone who has struggled with drug addiction and has been rehabilitated, will definitely enjoy and appreciate this film. Taylor Lautner and the rest of the cast gave wonderful heart felt performances. A good watch and highly recommended to mature audiences.

This indie often seemed contrived and contained some very implausible plot elements at times. However, the acting is solid and I was interested enough to want to see how it would all turn out in the end.

Taylor Lautner stars here as Rey, who for the past several years has raised his much younger brother Oliver (Nico Christou), with the help of his stepfather Bo (Kenny Johnson). Their mother Lola, portrayed by Constance Zimmer, has been serving a six year prison sentence for drugs and prostitution.

Rey learns that his mother, who abused him terribly over the years, is set for release and wants Oliver to come live with her and Bo. Thus, Rey will take Oliver and head for California, acting on the invitation of an old flame (Johanna Braddy) to start a new life there. However, things will not go according to plan and decisions will have to be made for all concerned.

Soham Mehta and Rajiv Shah make their directorial and writing debuts here respectively. Overall, although I couldn't really buy into the main premise here, I still found the film interesting and fairly absorbing, and I certainly have seen worse over the years.

This film tells the story of a young man who has to take care of his young half brother because his mother is in prison. When he finds out his mother is being released from prison, he goes on a road trip with his half brother, hoping to protect him from the mother.

It is quite an engaging and touching story, as Rey wants to protect his little half brother. However, his intentions and methods are unfortunately misplaced. Through his stubbornness and his inability to forgive, his life is permanently affected. It is a rather sad story.

In Run The Tide, Taylor Lautner gives a beautifully measured performance as Rey, the protective older brother to Oliver (played by Nico Christou) who Rey has raised since Lola, their drug abusing mother was imprisoned. Played by Constance Zimmer, it is Lola's release from prison that triggers Rey to kidnap his younger brother and head for the coast in search of his dreams.

Written by Rajiv Shah, Run The Tide takes you on an emotional journey that explores themes around family, lost opportunities and forgiveness. All played out through a set of characters who feel real and complex. There might be times in the movie when you might question some of the decisions made by Rey and co., but for the most part you'll believe in their journey. It's quite a slender, delicate story that Rajiv Shah weaves in this film, but I think it is to his credit that he resists the temptation to try and fill the story out with other elements that may distract.

It's a story that is sensitively handled by the director Soham Mehta who creates a film that asks to be judged on its own merits, allowing the story to play out without rushing the audience. There's a definite visual style to the film with a proliferation of blues and with the assistance of cinematographer John T. Conner, some nice visual flourishes. Excellent song selections (an art form itself) further add to the personal feeling of the film.

However, this film wouldn't work without the delicate interplay between the characters that each actor brings to the film, made possible by an excellent cast that is rounded out by Kenny Johnson (Bates Motel) and Johanna Braddy (Quantico). At its heart though, is the relationship between the two brothers that runs right through this film. It is this (sometimes difficult) bond between Rey and Oliver that the audience needs to believe in for this film to succeed in hitting the right notes emotionally. On this point, Taylor and Nico can't be faulted, with the latter gaining extra kudos with this being his first film role.

Taylor Lautner has had more than his fair share of critics when it comes to his acting over the years. But in Run The Tide, he gives his best dramatic performance to date and one that will far exceed the expectations of many of his past critics. What Taylor needs now is a few more roles like this, that allow him to truly showcase his acting ability and turn the tide of criticism that he has unfairly faced in the past.

All in all, it is satisfying to watch a film that tells a story based in the real world for a change, one whose ending leaves you wanting to know more about each and every character.

This movie is boring and uninteresting. A drug addicted abusive mom is about to be released from prison. As if the courts would give her custody. So the elder brother (Taylor Lautner) wants to take his younger brother away and they run off to the beach.

Taylor Lautner tries to stretch his acting range here by doing a serious role. But his delivery of lines is monotonous and sounds like he is reading a script. Giving him a bit of scruff doesn't make him a serious actor. He is better for comedy and action.

In the end it felt like a big fuss about nothing.