WAVES
US, 2019, 135 minutes, Colour.
Kelvin Harrison Jr, Lucas Hedges, Taylor Russell, Alexa Demie, Sterling K.Brown, Renee Elyse Goldsberry, Clifton Collins Jr.
Directed by Trey Edward Shultz.
Waves received a great deal of critical acclaim on its release in the United States. It is a particularly American story – and may not have the same kind of appeal for audiences outside America. There was some criticism, however, that it was very long, many of the sequences over-prolonged, some audiences losing interest in the characters and the situations.
The setting is Florida and the focus on an African-American? family. Particular attention is given to the older teenage son of the family, Tyler, a strong performance from Kelvin Harrison Jr (Luce, The Photograph). He is involved in school sports, especially wrestling, a number of scenes of training and performance, encouraged by his father, Ronald (Sterling K. Brown, also a strong performance) sharing the training with his son. Outside school hours and outside home, Tyler moves with what might be called the fast crowd, having a relationship with his girlfriend, Alexis (Alexa Demie). Also at home is his loving stepmother (Renee Elyse Goldsberry) and his younger sister, Emily (Taylor Russell).
Emotional complications arise when Tyler is discovered to have physical difficulties, injuries, but preferring to continue to please his father and wrestle until his final collapse during a bout. There are emotional complications at home, his rebelling against his stern father, harsh criticisms of his stepmother. This is completely aggravated when his girlfriend reveals that she is pregnant. His reaction is almost completely self-centred, taking her to an abortion clinic, in a rage when she decides to keep the baby.
The action becomes particularly melodramatic and tragic with Tyler confronting his girlfriend.
Tyler is arrested, sentenced to prison – and the film then veers into its second part, the story of Emily, her encounter with one of her fellow students who had trained in wrestling with Tyler. Initially awkward, Luke (Lucas Hedges) bonds with Emily. In the meantime, her parents have become alienated because of Tyler’s imprisonment.
The most dramatic part of this drama is Luke and Emily visiting Luke’s estranged father, dying in hospital.
On the one hand, Luke and Emily have the possibility of a happy ending in future – and there is some resolution for the parents and a glimpse of Tyler serving his time in prison.
1. A piece of 21st-century Americana? Critical acclaim?
2. The title, the range of American experiences?
3. The Florida settings, homes, school, ordinary life? The musical score?
4. Tyler and his story, the initial focus, the latter focus on Emily and Luke? Tyler, black, his age, at school, excelling in sport, the focus on wrestling, his exercise and training, at home, his relationship with his sister, their clashes? His stepmother and her love and concern? His father, dominance and dominating, sharing the exercises and training, the wrestling? Going to the gym? The bond between Catharine and Ronald? The children?
5. Tyler and his health, the accident, his shoulder, discussions with the doctor, keeping his condition secret? Forcing himself?
6. His friends, the group, carefree, his relationship with Alexis, the ups and downs? The revelation of her pregnancy?
7. Tyler, his reaction about the pregnancy, concerned about himself, insisting on the abortion, going to the clinic, the demonstrators, Alexis’ decision, considering the consequences, deciding to have the child?
8. Tyler’s rage, his reactions, the effect, the consequences? His reaction against his sister? Hostility towards his parents, declared hatred for his stepmother and her protests of love? His hating his father, storming out of the house?
9. His drinking, drugs, his condition? Going to the party, his sister seeing him? The buildup to the confrontation of Alexis, his anger at her seeming boyfriend, she telling him the boy was gay? Her slapping him? His slapping her, her fall, the injuries, death? Emily and the reactions of the others at the party? Tyler storming out, the car, the arrest, the consequences?
10. His arrest, in court, pleading guilty, his sentence?
11. The shift in the narrative in the second part of the film, the focus on Emily? This section being less intensely dramatic than the first part?
12. Emily, in herself, her place in the family, with her parents, her reaction to Tyler? Her blaming herself about not intervening in so saving Alexis?
13. Luke, his background, seen wrestling practice with Tyler? Meeting with Emily, the conversations, his following her? Her reaction? Their talking, dating? The buildup of the
relationship?
14. Ronald, his reaction to his son’s imprisonment? Catharine, her change of moods, alienation from Ronald?
15. Emily and Luke, sharing their experiences, joy? Luke explaining his family background? The revelation about his father? Going to see his father? Overcoming resentment? The response of his father, forgiveness, his death?
16. Ronald and Catharine, the buildup to a reconciliation and understanding?
17. Emily, going to visit her brother in prison?
18. The style of the film, its length, the different emphases and the narrative, long sequences (which many say could have well been cut, shortened), the characterisations and interactions?
