AKA: The Undertow – Runtime: 108 Minutes – Country: USA – A: For Adults Only
This film is focusing on the Munns, a separated family that just moved into the rural woods of Georgia. After the death of his wife, John Munn (Dermot Mulroney) decided that it would be better to retreat, leaving himself a chance to account for the past. His two sons Chris (Jamie Bell) and 10-year-old Tim (Devon Alan) however are not seem to be very happy about it… Chris is often getting in touch with the local police, Tim seems to be very lonely – and furthermore he is suffering from a serious disease that nobody seems to know or care about.
As if things were not complicated enough, John’s brother Deel (Josh Lucas) is appearing – he has just been released from prison. John decides to give him shelter – on condition that he would help with the general housework. And this turns out to be a great mistake… since his original purpose does not stay concealed for long. He actually is after some gold coins that have been in John’s possession for several years now.
Deel has just been released from prison – he wants to get hold of the gold coins at any cost
Warning, spoilers ! – While the first half of the film seemed to be promising at least, the second was totally needless – since it mainly focuses on a run-away trip that should not have taken place at all. The whole situation seems to be unrealistic, the characters’ behavior elusive. Just try to imagine why an almost grown-up teenager who knows about life – would decide to run away, after watching his father being murdered; and not reporting this to the police ? Of course, and by referring to the storyline: he thinks that evidence could be laid upon him – still, it makes no real sense. As if this was not enough, he thereafter begins searching for work like nothing had happened, with his brother alongside – and the saved gold coins in the pocket. Of course, they are trying to hide from their uncle – but what is the use of hiding when you do this just one or two miles away, without knowing anybody who could support you ? Very disappointing: the illogical scenes and the serious holes offered by the plot. Regarding to this, I have some more questions left:
Chris and Tim running around helplessly
1. Why have they moved to Georgia at all – and what does this mean for each unique family member, how was it before ? Unfortunately we only get very few sentences about that.
2. Referring to the runaway once more – how come that Tim manages to keep up with his brother who is a very good runner (we can see that right in the beginning) ? I thought that he is sick, especially as regards to his eating behaviour… or are old lacquers and mud some new kind of strengthening drugs ?
3. Why is Chris not taking over responsibility for his younger brother ? He saves him from Deel indeed – but in his later-on condition the only place to go would be the hospital. He acted rather mindless – he did not care about the death of his father, then why would he be affected by his brother’s death ? And just how is that appealing to the audience ?
4. Why is the death of Chris‘ and Tim’s father not affecting them at all, mentally spoken – why had Chris done nothing about it, he actually stood at the window ? Where is the desperateness, the grief ? Is it ment to be like this; and if yes: how come ?
5. Deel is trying to convince his nephews to come out of their hideout on the junkyard… why would he be pulling out his knife then – just right away ? But look close, in the next short scene the knife is gone. A few seconds later he holds it again – how annoying. Such things should not be happening, since they actually are very noticeable here.
It can be tough to have a suffering brother – but does a stolen medicine really do the trick ?
The second half of this film is just focusing on a hilarious run-away story; it just starts over and over again. Just like: Knock the evil guy out – run away (not too far, of course) – be encountered a few moments later – start all over again… at least I am glad that they did not made this last for hours. The ending is very disappointing, too. Since it is leaving another aspect indistinguishable: just how did Chris manage to stab his uncle, how could he survive his drowning approach ? But why should I be asking about this… in the next scene we can see the two brothers, being reunited with their grandparents – who were not really mentioned before. A happy end – but certainly not for the common audience.
One could argue about the technical part, and especially: the cutting. To admit it: I could not get anything out of it neither, it rather disturbed me (like: have I just hit the pause-button, are there any serious scratches on the dvd…?). And of course, they are not evenly spread: in the beginning it almost gave me an epileptic fit, towards the middle and ending there were almost none. Maybe only referring to the UK Dvd version that I own: what about the audio? Especially the dialogs seemed to be way too silent, the music too loud. Unfortunately, it is not offering any subtitles (no specials neither) – too bad. An interesting aspect: the music is from Philipp Glass – who has done some remarkable work already. But I do not know what to say here… I could not get a feeling for this soundtrack, it rather distracted me and did not seem to really fit.
“No, you won’t get the coins” – Deel (who seems to be immortal) has to be smacked down again…
If there would not be an average acting part at least, I would have labeled this one as one of my alltime worst films. Since Jamie Bell (as the troubling teenager who takes care for his younger brother) and 12-year-old Devon Alan (as his brother, who in turn has serious problems) are doing a great job here. However, I could not get a feeling for Dermot Mulroney, who starred as John, their father – I am glad that Josh Lucas as his criminal minded brother could balance this out. But, and that goes for all actors: they can not balance out all related weaknesses, especially when they are as obvious and annoying as in this film.
Thinking about this average cast… what a great waste of talent. My advice would have been: forget the whole brother and crime story, rather make this a serious drama – by focusing on the loss of the mother, their house moving and social withdrawal (!), their unique problems (especially: Tim’s), their relationship, the meaning of the coins. But the way it turned out at last just makes me feel like watching an unspectacular crime story, which is badly mixed with some undetailed personal portraits, general boredom and many logical goofs – 2.2/10.
Download the US-Trailer (Moviemaze.de) – Buy this Dvd (Amazon.com)
