Sunday Matinee: Wade in the Water [Film]

“Sure, our man never gives his name. He works from home. His neighbours are all idiots. He doesn’t really “do” friends. But all that changes when a mis-delivered package arrives in his post office box bearing a horrifying secret –one that will set him on a collision course with a predator, the man’s disillusioned daughter, and his own dark past.” – October Coast PR

******

Folks, one of the biggest dilemmas I face as part time person of the media is the idea of declaration. It’s not a terrible problem to have, but it does warrant at least a little bit of recognition, and fuck it, this is my space so I will say what I want. So, when I felt as though I had found the best film of 2019 thus far last June, it turns out I needed to wait around a month to find its competition. And god damn it all if I didn’t find it in Wade in the Water. I’m not entirely certain that I am comfortable in making another declaration, recanting on my previous declaration, but I am confident to say that Wade in the Water is one of my favorite films of the last decade (possibly the last two?), and I can not recommend it highly enough to EVERYONE.

Wade in the Water is a delightful indie film centered around very realistic and very relatable characters who are put into a proverbial struggle that each and every one of us has to watch and wonder, “What would I do?” It’s such a hard question to try to answer, but with a film like this, we are fortunate enough to see all the hypotheticals laid out before us in this incredibly crafted story that is sure to warm the heart and awaken the mind.

Writer and Filmmaker team Chris Retts and Mark Wilson have managed to capture absolute magic with this film and I am so excited for you all to check it out. Also, tour de damn force performances from the likes of Tom E. Nicholson and Danika Golombek simply cannot be ignored. There is actually one specific moment (captured in the photo above) that is an absolute highlight and must be addressed and commended. Look, Tom is a big guy. It’s not a secret. “Our Man” is of a particular body type, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But, what struck me as so damn wonderful to the scenes leading up to this particular scene was the lack of acknowledgement of this fact leading up to it. Why, you might ask? BECAUSE IT DIDN”T FUCKING MATTER!!! Yes, the dilemma that was being expressed and showcased before us was not incumbent upon what a character looked like. And I honestly thought this was wonderful. In fact, only in a moment of absolute weakness and anger does the subject even become acknowledged, and it was simply as a means to hurt “Our Man” in a situation where Tilly, Danika’s character, was feeling attacked her damn self. This, Folks, is just damn good writing and you absolutely HAVE to see if for yourself!

Seriously Folks, as soon as you possibly can, please watch Wade in the Water. It is a film that is sure to teach you more about yourself than you ever thought you knew. If you are not floored with emotion after watching this wonderfully made film, please seek medical attention, as you couldn’t possibly have a heart or soul. It’s seriously that damn good!