In classical Hollywood cinema, most movies rush forward, like a river or roller coaster, along a steady course toward a certain objective. Not so Trey Edward Shults’ brilliant, audacious third feature, “Waves,” whose enigmatic title suggests how its visionary young writer-director sets out to challenge our ideas of how and why things happen in life.
Set in South Florida — not so far from the microcosm Barry Jenkins illuminated in “Moonlight,” though a world apart in terms of social class and opportunity — “Waves” bends and surprises, radiates and engulfs, in a dizzying and ecstatic attempt to capture the love and pain and pressure visited upon a contemporary American family — an African American family, to be precise. For Shults, who is white, doing justice to that experience means projecting beyond himself to capture all that is universal and unique about his four central characters, each of whom feels fully dimensional by the end of this intimate epic.
Set in South Florida — not so far from the microcosm Barry Jenkins illuminated in “Moonlight,” though a world apart in terms of social class and opportunity — “Waves” bends and surprises, radiates and engulfs, in a dizzying and ecstatic attempt to capture the love and pain and pressure visited upon a contemporary American family — an African American family, to be precise. For Shults, who is white, doing justice to that experience means projecting beyond himself to capture all that is universal and unique about his four central characters, each of whom feels fully dimensional by the end of this intimate epic.
- 8/31/2019
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Similar News
Tanner Beard Signs With Link Entertainment
- 5/10/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Every Cannes Palme d’Or Winner of the 21st Century Ranked
- 5/9/2024
- by Slant Staff
- Slant Magazine
Cate Blanchett To Receive San Sebastian’s Donostia Award
- 5/9/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
I Saw the TV Glow’s Star-Studded Soundtrack Arrives in Full: Stream
- 5/10/2024
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Film News
I Saw the TV Glow’s Star-Studded Soundtrack Arrives in Full: Stream
- 5/10/2024
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Music
Reports Suggest Janelle Monáe Could Join the MCU in a Significant X-Men Role
- 5/9/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
4 New 2024 Movies Coming to Netflix in May (and 1 is Already Out)
- 5/7/2024
- by louise.everitt@startefacts.com (Louise Everitt)
- STartefacts.com
'This Is Us' Fans Can Be a Part New Rewatch Podcast
- 5/7/2024
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
10 movies to check out on Prime Video this May
- 5/7/2024
- by Robert DeSalvo
- avclub.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Makes $6.6 Million in Previews
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
‘Fantastic Four’ Casts Ralph Ineson as Galactus (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Bear’ Season 3 Releases Teaser, Premiere Date
- 5/9/2024
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Pam & Tommy’ Stars Sebastian Stan, Lily James Reteam for ‘Let The Evil Go West’ Horror Thriller
- 5/9/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘The Witch’ Star Ralph Ineson as Galactus
- 5/9/2024
- by Katcy Stephan, Angelique Jackson and Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Justin and Hailey Bieber Expecting First Child
- 5/9/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comedy Central Announces New Jon Stewart Podcast
- 5/9/2024
- by Nick Riccardo
- LateNighter
Nicholas Galitzine Felt ‘Perhaps Guilt’ for Playing Gay Roles as a Straight Man, Says He’s ‘Terrified’ of Only Being Viewed As a ‘Cut of Beef at a Meat Market’
- 5/9/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety - Film News
Olivia Wilde, Gregg Araki Team On Black Bear Thriller ‘I Want Your Sex’
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Tatiana Maslany & Rossif Sutherland To Star In ‘Keeper’, The Next Film From ‘Longlegs’ Director Osgood Perkins; Neon Pre-Buys U.S. Rights & Will Launch Int’l Sales At Cannes
- 5/9/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
MTV Documentary Films Acquires U.S. Rights to Sundance #MeToo Doc ‘Black Box Diaries’ (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety - Film News
Melanie Lynskey, Robyn Malcolm to Lead ‘Pike River’ Thriller About New Zealand Mining Disaster, Signature Launching Sales in Cannes (Exclusive)
- 5/9/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
‘The Sheriff’: Milo Gibson, Mark Dacascos, Tom Berenger & More Cast In Josh Tessier Crime Thriller
- 5/9/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Makes $6.6 Million in Previews
- 5/10/2024
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety - Film News
‘Red, White & Royal Blue’ Sequel in the Works, With Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez Returning
- 5/10/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’ Adds ‘The Witch’ Star Ralph Ineson as Galactus
- 5/9/2024
- by Katcy Stephan, Angelique Jackson and Adam B. Vary
- Variety - Film News
Olivia Wilde, Gregg Araki Team On Black Bear Thriller ‘I Want Your Sex’
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Fantastic Four’ Casts John Malkovich
- 5/9/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bravo Sets Date for ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Three-Part Reunion (TV News Roundup)
- 5/9/2024
- by Jack Dunn and Selena Kuznikov
- Variety - TV News
Will FX Move ‘Shogun’ to Drama Series, Upending Several Major Emmy Races?
- 5/9/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety - TV News
‘Law & Order: Organized Crime’ Renewed, Officially Moving to Peacock for Season 5
- 5/9/2024
- TV Insider
Kristen Johnston Reunites With Chuck Lorre, Joins Leanne Morgan Netflix Comedy Series
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
‘Lioness’ Renewed for Season 2 at Paramount+
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety - TV News