User Reviews

When the Tide Turns is a powerful, potent short film about two brothers whose long strained relationship reaches critical mass one sunny afternoon on a beach in Australia. Starting off as a simply presented but compelling character study, the film ratchets up the tension when a devastating secret is abruptly revealed that brings the brothers' long simmering feud bubbling to the surface and thrusts them and the audience into an unexpected examination of how deep the bonds of family go, and, in a most literal fashion, whether blood truly is thicker than water. For a first-time filmmaker , Campbell Maynes displays a decidedly sure hand in directing his actors and keeping the pace of the story moving briskly and engagingly toward a very satisfying climax. I found this film to be beautifully shot and very well acted. The evolving plot reveals juicy, surprising details in the backstory of these two brothers, causing our allegiances to shift back and forth as we learn more about the events that have brought them to this day. Without revealing what happens in the gripping climax, I'm confident every viewer will find themselves questioning what they would do if they were faced with such a situation. The metaphor of the turning tide is a very smart analogy about the choices we make and the consequences of those actions when forces beyond our control come into play. I look forward to seeing more from this talented director.

Two friends drive to a remote beach for some surfing. After catching waves for a while and back on shore, one of them goes snorkeling and does not come back. His friend goes out looking for him and finds the missing man on a rocky part of the beach. He is alive and apparently well. However a large rock rolled on his left foot. He is stuck and can't move. Muscle power by both men, a car jack, a lever, nothing works. The rock is not moving. It's low tide.

As the men consider what to do, the tide begins to flow in, small waves splashing on the rocks. The pinned man is threatened by drowning. There is a revelatory conversation between the two men during the tense situation that gets one of them riled. At high tide, mouth to mouth breathing under water saves the day (whow! you may say).

As the tide begins to ebb, the only solution left is to cut the lower leg off. The film ends before the knife cuts in.

Overly contrived for my taste.