David Oyelowo’s directorial debut – The Water Man – is the kind of movie I would have *flipped out* over as a 10-year-old: two hurting children set off on a quest, facing dangers, growing in friendship, self-sufficient, scrappy, brave, tough, hiding things from each other, helping each other. The movie is geared for that age group and also would be great for a family to watch together. The movie faces some really tough subjects, things children need help navigating. My family is basically living this reality right now, and so the movie wrecked me. It’s not at ALL manipulative or sentimental or condescending. This is a very deep and thoughtful film, for kids and grownups.
oh wow, what a great review. This speaks speaks deeply to the 10yo in me too. Wilderness survival, mysteries, independence, scrappiness, magic, inter-reliance, a wise but innocent point of view. I would definitely check this out but I am also very afraid that it would emotionally destroy me in the same way as Beasts of the Southern Wild. Glad to have it on my radar though, cheers!
Jessie – // I am also very afraid that it would emotionally destroy me //
it completely destroyed me!