David Oyelowo’s directorial feature debut, “The Water Man,” plays like a kid-friendly throwback to Steven Spielberg’s ’80s movies. It’s a coming-of-age story filled with adventure, friendship, and some serious topics that don’t overshadow its young protagonist’s hopes. The story gives its hero, Gunner (Lonnie Chavis), the chance to grow from a shy graphic novel nerd with a love of detective stories to a fearless wanderer looking for a cure to help his mom. His bravery lands him in trouble –– because what’s an ‘80s adventure movie without at least a little bit of danger –– but the movie doesn’t demean the character or his efforts. It’s along for the fun of the mystery, too.
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Gunner and his parents (Oyelowo and Rosario Dawson) have recently moved to the town of Pine Mills, Oregon, a sleepy forest green town where none of them feel quite feel at home yet. His father’s naval career made him an estranged figure in Gunner’s life, and the two struggle to reach each other. In Gunner’s eyes, his dad is too quick to scold and slow to understand. The son isn’t the kind that likes to toss a football with his dad first thing in the morning. He much prefers his copy of the complete adventures of Sherlock Holmes at the dinner table or his ample drawing supplies in his room instead. But that drama pales in comparison to what Gunner’s mom is going through with leukemia. Using his research skills, Gunner hears stories about a mythical figure known as The Water Man, and he figures the eternal being might give him something to stop his mother from dying. Soon, he ropes in a local Water Man guide, Jo (Amiah Miller) into leading him to the spot where she last saw the legend.
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Oyelowo’s “The Water Man” hits the right balance between emotions, making the movie an enjoyable romp without shying away from things like illness, death, and abuse. Matthew J. Lloyd’s cinematography creates an inviting wonderland for his protagonists to play in and explore. Oyelowo also brings in Gunner’s interest in comic books and graphic novels to the screen, illustrating his lively imagination through animated sequences. It’s a technique that’s also used to recreate the Water Man’s tragic origin story as vividly told by Alfred Molina’s character, who’s a sort of Water Man truther. Beyond alternating between live-action and animation format, the movie also has Jo and Gunner encounter the occasional magical touch of out-of-season snow, a stampede of wild horses through the forest, and a cascade of nightmare-inducing beetles at night, all of which build out the mystique of the Water Man in his mind and add to the tension leading up to when he will finally meet the elusive figure. In short, Oyelowo proves he can tell a great story.
That story comes from Emma Needell, whose script of “The Water Man” landed on the 2015 Black List. With roots in movies like “The Goonies” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “The Water Man” follows two everyday kids with everyday problems searching for something beyond their world. There’s even a little homage to “E.T.” in Gunner’s room. The movie strikes an optimistic tone from Gunner’s perspective, and his determination to cure his mom’s illness is nothing short of wholesome and sweet. His friendship with Jo, a fellow misfit and adventure seeker, feels tender as the two learn to rely on one another as much as they share a laugh at the other’s expense. Despite its somber moments, there’s a lot to feel good about in this movie.
Part of the movie’s charm comes from its heartfelt performances. From Oyelowo’s stern but well-meaning father figure to Dawson’s playful counterpart, the grown-ups play an equally important role opposite their younger co-stars. The parental figures tell us something about their children and how they’ll react in this unprecedented trek to find an old legend. Characters like the ones played by Molina and Maria Bello give the town life beyond serving as a mere backdrop. Of course, it’s the two young leads who are the most impressive. Miller’s character initially puts on a tough act that slowly comes undone in the face of danger. While Chavis’ character grows from “Harold and Maude”-like funeral observer to a dauntless explorer, his performance always feels genuine, as if he’s growing up right before the camera. Recapturing that sense of wonder for the next generation, Oyelowo’s “The Water Man” also invites its audience to be a kid again and enjoy a new mystery for old times’ sake. [A-]
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