Walking to the Waterline

A dramatic-comedy about Francis McGowan, a man with a purpose who instead gets side-tracked during one surreal week spent trying to figure out what he wants from a business that makes very little sense to him, a woman he's sleeping with who's not his wife, and a father who has left him to fend for himself and didn't leave a map. Written and directed by Matt Mulhern, this is the prequel to "Duane Hopwood," Mulhern's 2005 Sundance Film Festival hit that Roger Ebert called "one of the best films of 2005." "Walking to the Waterline" features Mulhern himself in the central role of Francis, an out of work sit-com actor returning to his empty childhood home on the Jersey shore to deal with the aftermath of his father's death. Instead, he gets sidetracked by indecision, self-doubt, and his childhood friend, Duane Hopwood, played by Alan Ruck. With terrific supporting performances from Hallie Foote, Matthew Broderick, Hal Holbrook, Michael Boatman, Jon Cypher and Beverly Archer, the wonderful cast brings this funny and engaging indie gem to life. "Walking to the Waterline" is an overlooked 1998 sleeper about losing your bearings while finding your way.

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This is an enjoyable small film

Anyone who knows the fleeting value of "fame" will find this tale true and funny. I like that Mulhern put himself out there as a writer (of a story familiar to him), and director. I also found the unique shoot location (a tourist elephant on the New Jersey shore)a lively metaphor for the passing strangeness of life. Here's a guy (Mulhern)off balance following the death of his father when he visits the family summer home to empty and sell it. He's away from his current life, swept back into his childhood with gay neighbors who knew him "when." He finds warmth with a quirky woman (Foote)who shows him kindness and genuine regard. I found it touching and delightful. Loved the cameos by Broderick and Flanagan written with smooth economy of dialog showing the cold stone of agency people when you're no longer "hot."
Middleuvnite (Middleuvnite@aol.com) August 15, 2007

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