Coastal Secrets and the Stirring Tides of Emotion

Read Time:3 Minute, 11 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Breakwater
–

Genre: Thriller
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 36m
Director(s): James Rowe
Writer(s): James Rowe
Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Mena Suvari, Celia Rose Gooding, Darren Mann, Sonja Sohn, Cory Scott Allen, J.D. Evermore, Alyssa Goss, Drew Matthews, Joseph Curtis Callender, Timothy Douglas Perez, Megan Petersen, Ricky Muse, Clayton Frank, Daniel Williams-Lopez
Where To Watch: world premiere August 19, 2023, at the 2023 Cinequest Film Festival; more information available here www.cinequest.org

RAVING REVIEW: North Carolina's Outer Banks, captured vividly in BREAKWATER, is no ordinary setting. Under Director James Rowe's keen eye, this place seems to breathe and dance, pulling us into a tale that marries age-old mysteries with the present. Here, every dune and wave has a secret, and oh boy, are they ready to spill!

Enter Dovey, played with palpable emotion by Darren Mann. Fresh from the shadows of prison, his future's already tangled with a quest set forth by none other than his cell buddy, Ray. Now, while Ray's calm exterior, brought to life by the impeccable Dermot Mulroney, might deceive some, beneath lies a sea of enigmas. Simple. Find Ray's missing daughter, Eve, and all's well. But as any thriller fan knows, the plot always thickens, and what seems like a walk in the park soon transforms into a hunt of emotions.

But wait, BREAKWATER isn’t just a 'point A to point B' story. It’s more like 'point A to point Z with surprise pit stops at every letter in between.' The tranquility of the Outer Banks isn't just for show. It mirrors the turbulence our central trio feels, especially when Dovey encounters Eve, an enigmatic figure given depth by Alyssa Goss. Suddenly, we're thrust into a world where every glance and gesture hints at stories buried deep.

Rowe's flair for capturing the essence of this story is akin to the beauty of Currituck Beach Lighthouse, which comes to the forefront in BREAKWATER. Characters seeking answers and new beginnings find themselves amidst the hauntingly serene environs of the Outer Banks.

Let’s shuffle the deck a bit and talk visuals. BREAKWATER is a visual delight, and the main cast does justice to their roles. But perfection's hard to come by. A few supporting acts felt like they lacked cohesion.

However, the crown jewel of BREAKWATER is its underlying message: redemption. No matter how shadowed our yesterdays might be, facing them is the first step to a brighter tomorrow. BREAKWATER is more than just moving images on a screen. It’s a journey, an experience, a dive deep into the shores of suspense, feelings, and introspection.

For more reviews, please visit – https://linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews for more info.

Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of XYZ FILMS]

MY SAG-AFTRA/WGA STRIKE STATEMENT:
As an advocate for creators, actors, and writers, I firmly stand with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA in their current strike. The entertainment industry is built on these individuals' extraordinary talents, and their contributions must be appropriately recognized and rewarded. They deserve fair compensation, sensible work hours, and respect for their creative rights. I believe in the power of unity and collective action, and I'm steadfast in my support for their fight for better working conditions and fair remuneration. Together, we can shape a more equitable future in the entertainment world.

#SAGAFTRA #WGA #SAGAFTRAStrong #WGAStrong