The Water Man

The Water Man is an enchanting, family-friendly adventure film, directed by dynamic British actor David Oyelowo, known for his performances in films like Selma and Les Misérables, who steps behind the camera for the first time. Released in 2020, this incredibly intense and poetic film engages seamlessly with its audience, examining themes of love, life, and the magical realism of childhood mythology.

The movie circles around an intriguingly imaginative and very brave eleven-year-old boy named Gunner, played commendably by Lonnie Chavis, who is known for his part in the television series “This is Us”. Amiah Miller, known for her roles on MacGyver and House by the Lake, portrays Jo, Gunner's friend and accomplice. The storyline immerses the audience into a world where folklore converges with reality, creating a surreal ambience.

Gunner and his parents, Amos and Mary, played by David Oyelowo and Rosario Dawson respectively, have recently relocated to a rural town, attempting to cope with Mary's serious and perplexing illness. Gunner is a resourceful boy, who deals with his troubling situation by dwelling in his creativity and reading. His unquenchable curiosity and determination to understand things lead him to a local bookshop, where he stumbles across a local myth about a mysterious character known as the 'Water Man.'

Drawn in by the legend of the Water Man, who is said to possess the secret to immortality, Gunner sees hope for his mother's survival. Intent to find a cure for her, Gunner embarks on a mission to track down the Water Man, who supposedly resides within the ominous Wild Horse Forest, a place feared by the townspeople for its inexplicable history of missing persons and strange occurrences.

Amiah Miller plays Jo, a slightly older and street-savvy local girl, who agrees to join Gunner on his quest, acting as his guide through the perilous woods. They form an undefined alliance, yet their motivations contrast sharply. While Gunner is driven by love and fear of losing his mother, Jo is primarily interested in the gold reward Gunner has promised her. Their journey takes them deeper and deeper into the heart of the forest, challenging their bravery and their partnership.

Meanwhile, as Gunner is on his mission, his father, Amos, realizes his son's disappearance and kickstarts a desperate search to find him. This results in an emotionally charged subplot, where Amos must confront his past mistakes as a father and work on overcoming the distance that has grown between him and his son.

The Water Man beautifully explores the dynamics of family, particularly the connection between a father and his son, and the unconditional love between a child and his mother. The interactions amongst the family members are genuine, sensitive, and full of emotionally evocative moments. David and Rosario deliver excellent performances, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative, while Lonnie and Amiah exhibit commendable chemistry and credibility as children standing against the world.

The film invokes a sense of nostalgia, as it presents a classic coming-of-age narrative, evoking memories of movies like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or Stand By Me, with an added blend of magic realism. However, it also adds a unique taste of modernity, discussing contemporary issues centering on parenting, child development, and understanding the true essence of love, life, and death.

David Oyelowo's directorial debut is definitely praiseworthy. He cleverly intertwines the threads of magic realism and raw realism, using visual artistry that blends childlike wonder and dread. The melancholic tones, eerie woodlands, and looming mist of the cinematography finesse the spectral charm of the film and intensify the essence of the narrative. The story unfolds at a steady pace, giving ample time for character development.

The Water Man is much more than a pursuit for a myth or a tale of an adventure. It’s a heartfelt portrayal of love, growth, hope, and resilience. This film is about the terrifying yet compassionate face of life, the determination to hang onto hope, the courage to embark on a journey into the unknown, and ultimately, the chase and belief in miracles when faced with the fear of loss, enabling the film to resonate deeply with its audience on various levels.