Waves

I'm not really sure what to think of this movie. I really wanted to love it. On the one hand, it has some great acting and cinematography in it. It looks great, and it is pretty well told from start to finish.

On the other hand, I would say that this movie is way too long and unfocused. It basically consists of two different movies. The first one is more or less like watching a car crash in slow motion. It is a pretty nerve-racking and hard watch, knowing that something bad will eventually happen to one of the characters. It is very well acted, but also extremely depressing and goes on for a bit too long.

Then something happens, and the second phase of the movie begins. The tone of the movie shifts entirely and it moves focus to another character. The pacing becomes even slower, to the point that nothing really happens at all. There are some side plots that doesn't lead anywhere. I guess the main character in this latter half of the movie goes through some emotional journey? Which probably makes sense in the context of the movie, but for me it was frankly a bit boring. Again, all the actors are great, but I'm not really connecting with the movie on a story level at all.

Another weird thing to point out, I felt like there were way to many songs being played in the movie. At some parts of the movie it feels like it basically becomes a playlist, shuffling cool tracks non-stop. Some scenes have characters singing along to the songs being played, digging or dancing, sometimes disrupting the story completely. Towards the end this becomes unbearably cheesy and weird. I'm not sure if the director, editors or other people who worked on the movie just wanted an excuse to play some trendy music?

To summarize, I think this movie was okay. It looks good, the acting is great and it has some powerful scenes in it, but other than that...

There's some exquisite lighting effects in "Waves," from a crackling fire to police light bars and rainbows, which is complimented by occasionally kinetic montage and hand-held camera movement. Quite a few shots tracking behind figures' heads in this one. And all of the bobbing of the frame coalesces with the rhythm of the soundtrack. The narrative is something of a rigmarole, though. Following the oscillations of a suburban African-American family in crisis, from teenage son wrestler abusing painkillers for his injured shoulder while fighting with his girlfriend over pregnancy, to the daughter dating one of her brother's teammates, I guess, while the father and mother struggle with their relationship and business. The melodramatic climax actually occurs in the middle of the picture, and it's intense. Even the aspect ratio closes in from the usual rectangle to more of a square tending to frame the characters' faces.

Yet, tracking the immature emotional waves of teenagers for over two hours, in what is essentially two pictures in one with two separate protagonists, is exhausting. Nary any intellectual engagement is to be had. The score is all over the place and generally prominent. Maybe you'll like the music and maybe you won't, or perhaps you'll be like me and like some it and not the rest. The problem, however, is that the picture relies too heavily upon it. Teens, their music and feelings. Lots of scenes merely of figures riding around in cars. Drama frequently trying to be wrought from texting and social media. When the tortuous theatrics are, at last, wrapped up, it comes as a relief.

Upon finally completing this ordeal, I was literally depressed. I have so much to say about Waves, but can't seem to find the words. So, I'll just say it was spectacularly acted, written, and directed. Shults was clearly inspired by the style of Malick, whom he's worked with on a number of occasions, but unlike Malick, he knows how to make his art entertaining. The only reason I gave this film a chance was that it had Lucas Hedges in it and he's yet to be in a bad picture, so I figured what the heck. Boy am I glad I gave it a shot, great film, better than I could've hoped for...highly recommended.

I found the first part of the movie really captivating, intense, credible and very well acted. When the focus switches to the second teen in the families the whole plot becomes very mellow (still very well acted though but diminishing the overall impact).

High school senior Tyler Williams is on top of the world. His family is supportive and well off. He has his friends and a beautiful girlfriend. He's a star wrestler at school. His father (Sterling K. Brown) pushes hard but he does it out of concern. A nagging injury turns out to be more. A series of self-inflicted problems and unforeseen difficulties come at him in waves.

I like this movie as soon as it starts. It begins with a great cinematic vision. Then it turns into a compelling character study of a family. I am a little conflicted about the divide in the movie. It would have been perfectly great to wrap up the movie soon after the midway point. I do see the value of the change over but it does split the movie in two. Also, it gets a little long at over two hours. It may be worthwhile to give the sister more screen time in the first half. Overall, it's a compelling study of this family.