Netflix’s latest family-friendly film features the directorial debut of David Oyelowo. The movie is a well-made film with a great depiction of characters through the Boone family and captivating scenes. If you do not restrain yourself from emotional reactions, then you are going to love the movie.
Oyelowo’s gift for deeply felt subtlety injects this coming-of-age drama with potentially schmaltzy elements with a dose of authenticity and urgent emotion.
The Water Man is a movie told through Gunner, a young boy dealing with his mother’s illness. If you are looking for a story that will lift your spirits and leave you with a sense of hope, this is it.
A deep-dive into the Scenes
In The Water Man, a young boy sets out alone on a journey to save his mother by searching for the mythical Water Man, who possesses the secret to immortality. Armed with his father’s sword and accompanied by the fanciful illustrations that are an outcome of his overarching imagination, Gunner reminds us that no obstacle is insurmountable when we become living proof of the words: Never Give Up.
At one point, there’s a mere mention of a map that is essential to locating the Water Man, which leads Gunner and Jo on a journey into the woods on the border of the town that continues for what seems like hours if not days.
It’s ingeniously portrayed because, in the age of mobile phones and GPS and knowing precisely where you’re at all times, it’s easy to forget that maps were once upon a time instrumental as valid location pointers.
He starts believing that he can reverse his mother’s illness with the stone of immortality and revive his mother. As the plot deepens, he meets Josephine, who claims to have seen the mystical Water Man in the greed of making a quick buck out of it. As they descend into the wilderness and the raging wildfire catches the forest in its grip, she begins to realize her mistake and tries getting out of the pickle.
Gunner is more steadfast of the two and continues on the path. He picks up his way with the marvel of a child searching for victory even amidst a defeated sense of purpose. His illustrations remind us of a world full of wonder that’s worth exploring, even if it’s on the meek shoulders of hope.
The Water Man- A Whimsical Adventure or A Shadow of One
There is a lot of heart-stopping moments, and the emotional turbulence ebbs and flows. The movie is slow-paced and lacks connection in many places. They focus on Gunner’s story at a superficial level, with gaps that needed filling in at more accounts than one. Though the ethereal background score and eerie sounds give you a sense of the perils in the path ahead, there’s no visibility of it.
The Water Man is a one-time watch that anyone can enjoy. This movie teaches many valuable lessons, such as standing up for what is right, the importance of family, and having the undying belief that you can achieve your goals even in the face of the most formidable odds. These lessons are taught in a way that would appeal to young kids and adults alike.
Watching movies takes time, and everyone has different tastes and preferences. But I know that one movie you should be watching is The Water Man. This movie has it all: diverse characters, a great director, amazing actors, and inspirational context.
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The Water Man- An Unconventional Narrative
There are many profound moments in the movie. The Water Man is a beautifully shot film, and the little girl who plays Jo is quirky and the much-needed duality that the screenplay sets off. Gunner has a childlike innocence and integrity that we seek in today’s time and age.
Gunner’s quest to save his mother takes a nasty turn as he enters the treacherous Wild Horse Forest, which happens to be home to the legendary Water Man. The story is relatively simple, but it has a ton of heart and some impressive Gunner acting. It tries hard to mix the childlike wonder of Pete’s Dragon with the melancholy and frightening tone of Princess Mononoke. While it doesn’t have as deep religious undertones as Mononoke, it still has moments where it gets dark, mainly when talking about Gunner’s mother fighting leukaemia and being terminally ill.
Stream it or Skip it?
As a movie, The Water Man was exciting and suspenseful. A magnificent, moving performance by David Oyelowo as Amos Boone and the unmistakable tension with his son and the cherished love with his sick wife is perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of this brilliant and deeply compassionate work. A near-flawless cast, gorgeous cinematography, and a stirring score all come together as a powerful team to paint a gripping portrait that not only speaks to the human condition but even impacts it.
The movie is exceptionally well-cast. Oyelowo has just the right temperament to play a father who has been touched by tragedy and pain yet manages to retain an idealistic viewpoint even as his circumstances grow ever darker. The two actors who play Gunner and Mary are immensely likeable. They have genuine emotions and bring so much life to their roles.
It is a very heart-warming and inspirational film. The message of hope and the lessons taught in this film are great reminders that we must keep fighting through all obstacles and remember how strong we really can be. If not for the story, watch it for the performances that will revive moments from your childhood like never before.
The Water Man is streaming on Netflix.