Movie Review: ‘Waves’ by Edward Shults

The emotional drama portrays how a tragic loss can collapse a beautiful family bonded by love and affection. The title of the movie is very appropriate as it hurtles across emotional ups and downs throughout the movie. The writer-director, Edward Shults once again proved that he can take the audience to a deeper and overwhelming sensory experience.

Storyline: A beautiful family living in Florida which falls apart after a tragic incident due to a catastrophic mistake. The rest of the movie revolves around the aftermath that proves to be more devastating and painful. The first half of the movie revolves around the character ‘Tyler’, a black 17-year-old student from an upper-middle-class family who aspires to become successful in this over-achieving world. It was quite amusing how the director managed to keep the audience stay close to the character in spite of the overwhelming shifts that Tyler makes. Be it driving with his girlfriend or training with his Dad or extending a sympathetic shoulder to his mom, Tyler is always on the move who’s finally tapped by sorrow and rage because of a tragedy. The scenes effectively conveyed the message who a Black man has been pushed in the country and in turn, he puts pressure on his son, Tyler who pushes so hard until he breaks down. The rest of the movie is taken aback from the fast pace with focus shifted to Tyler’s sister, Emily, who is physically and emotionally contained and feels isolated in society.

Initial release: 15 November 2019 (USA)
Director: Trey Edward Shults
Screenplay: Trey Edward Shults
Cinematography: Drew Daniels
Production company: A24
Music director: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross

Rating: [ IMDb : 7.6/10  & Rotten Tomatoes 90%]