Wade in the Water

The new dark semi-comic domestic drama "Wade in the Water" practically defies description. Still, I'm gonna give it my best shot. Kinna like a main character in this flick does.

Director Mark Wilson's interpretation of a mega offbeat story by Chris Retts takes us on a mesmerizing journey encompassing, among other things, at home telemarketing, independent So-Cal fast food joints, the U.S. Post Office, dancing on the beach and vintage typewriters. And that's not even a thorough list. Add to this eclectic mix the infinitely more troubling elements of family dysfunction, child molestation and murder and you have a movie that really must be seen to both understand as well as approach appreciation.

Tom E. Nicholson is flat-out Oscar worthy here. The reality that he won't even be nominated, or even seen, by The Academy takes not one damn shred away from his raw, raunchy and heartrending performance. Danika Golombek ("I Am The Night") matches Nicholson's standard as the completely unlikely other half of the weird relationship referenced in this review's title.

These two lost souls are caught in the current of a tense and tenuous bond that can not continue. And we as an audience are the benefactors of watching this most dubious pair navigate through unspeakably troubled waters.

Low key and Lo-Fi it might be, but this still exerts a powerful pull. "Our Man", the dysfunctional main character (as listed in the credits) receives a packet in the mail that's not meant for him, which sends him on the road to retribution and the confronting of his own demons. It is, in its own way, bleakly funny, almost serving at times as a "Taxi Driver" parody, and someone else has rightly identified "Blue Ruin" as another strong influence. As Our Man, Tom E Nicholson is quietly effective, but the real find is Danika Golombek, as the daughter of his victim, with whom he forms an unlikely friendship. She has an amazingly expressive face and is genuinely touching and funny in their scenes together. If you're looking for thrills and excitement, this might not be for you, but it's definitely worth a look.

This movie is a slow burn. It's a dark drama but with touches of humor. Well shot and executed. I think the highlight of this one is the cinematography. Is it worth a watch? Yes. If you're a fan of indie films and are adventurous in choosing what you watch, then this one will be worth your time!

I'm a huge fan of good indie films, but this one made me wonder for the first half hour. Then it became more and more engrossing. By the end, I was completely sold.

Most movies have so many complicated, tricky plot devices, action scenes, CGI effects, etc., it's like filmmakers don't think audiences care about real life stories about real people--without pretense, without affectation.

This film is a fine exception. It will really stay in your mind after its over. You'll recommend it to your intelligent friends. Your other friends (the ones who can't wait for the new Hollywood blockbuster) won't get it.

Saw this movie yesterday off Amazon Prime, the current 7.9 IMDB rating pumped up by a few dozen insider 10 ratings. For a low budget project, basically two actor driven drama, it's fine, really just an average movie (which is frankly good these days with so much absolute trash out there). I was fine watching this but would not see a need to recommend to others. Story a bit unrealistic in my opinion but it sort of works.