The Munns, father John and sons Chris and Tim, recede to the woods of rural Georgia. Their life together is forever changed with the arrival of Uncle Deel, though the tragedy that follows forces troubled Chris to become a man.
Jamie Bell
Chris Munn
Josh Lucas
Deel Munn
Dermot Mulroney
John Munn
Devon Alan
Tim Munn
Kristen Stewart
Lila
Robert Longstreet
Bern
Terry Loughlin
Officer Clayton
Eddie Rouse
Wadsworth Pela
Patrice Johnson
Amica Pela
Charles 'Jester' Poston
Hard Hat Dandy
Mark Darby Robinson
Conway
Pat Healy
Grant the Mechanic
Leigh Higginbotham
Muriel the Cashier
Alfred M. Jackson
Dock Worker
William D. Turner
Dock Worker
Michael Bacall
Jacob
Shiri Appleby
Violet
Carla Bessey
Violet's Friend
Damian Jewan Lee
Gus
Bill McKinney
Grandfather
Michael Gulick
Old Shirtless Man
David Blazina
Watch-Guard
Carlos DeLoach
Big Bad Cop
George Smith
Milk Man
H.G. Green
Newscaster
Jesse Scott Nelson
Retardoe
Craig Zobel
Bridegroom
Sophia Lin
Mail-Order Bride
Anne Marie Dove
Tattoo Girl
Thelma Louise Carter
Grandmother
Director, Screenplay
David Gordon Green
Screenplay
Joe Conway
November 22, 2019
7
***Haunting and surreal Southern Gothic is nigh post-apocalyptic***
Two boys living with their father (Dermot Mulroney) in rural Georgia near Savannah (where the film was shot) try to eke out a living off the land. Chris (Jamie Bell) is about 16 and Tim around 10; both manifest their grief over their dead mother and the challenges of their destitute isolation in different ways: Chris gets in trouble with the law while Tim strangely seems preoccupied with consuming non-edible items. Their father's brother (Josh Lucas) comes to visit and seems affable enough, but there's a wild, sinister glint in his eyes. No wonder, he's inwardly frothing with hostility and greed.
David Gordon Green's "Undertow" (2004) is a bit reminiscent of Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven" (1978) in that both are realistic dramas focusing on youths in rural areas and both offer a dreamy viewing experience. Each tries hard to enchant with their movie magic. Unlike "Days," however, "Undertow" is rooted in Southern Gothic. Of the two, I favor "Undertow."
After viewing the director’s awesome "Snow Angels" (2007), easily one of the greatest dramas ever filmed, I decided to give this one, his previous film, another chance. I'm glad I did because "Undertow" is the type of movie that improves on repeat viewings.
But these types of arty flicks aren't for everyone. Those bred on modern blockbusters will likely find "Undertow" dull, meandering and pointless. I myself wasn't all that impressed the first time I watched it. I didn't hate it; I just didn't "get" it. I'm glad I gave it a second (and third) chance, however, because "Undertow" succeeded in pulling me in under its spell. You just have to be in the right mode for a film of this ilk.
The "dreamy" quality noted above is facilitated by Philip Glass' mesmerizing score that plays during the opening and closing credits. It's simple and repetitive, but spellbinding. I've gone to the credits a few times just to enjoy this brilliant piece.
Being a Southern Gothic drama/thriller, "Undertow" has a cool Southern ambiance with focus on the rural underbelly. Other films that are successful in this regard come to mind: "The General's Daughter," "Ode to Billy Joe," "I Walk the Line" (with Gregory Peck, 1970), "Mississippi Burning," "Squirm," "The Man in the Moon" and "The Skeleton Key." If you have a taste for these types of films, including the aforementioned "Days of Heaven," you'll likely appreciate "Undertow." The difference with “Undertow” is that it concentrates so exclusively on pastoral paucity that it cops a poetic post-apocalyptic ambiance.
The film runs 1 hour, 48 minutes. Kristen Stewart has a small role in the first act.
GRADE: B/B-