THE WATER MAN

US, 2020, 91 minutes, Colour.

David Oyelowo, Rosario Dawson, Lonnie Chavis, Maria Bello, Amiah Miller, Alfred Molina, Jessica Oyelowo.

Directed by David Oyelowo.

The Water Man combines old-style mythologies, mysterious characters in the woods who have healing powers, with the realism of the Oregon forests. This is the first film to be directed by David Oyelowo.

The focus is on an 11-year-old, Gunner, played effectively by Lonnie Chavis. His mother, Rosario Dawson, is terminally ill. His father, a Marine, played by Oyelowo, is often absent and does not relate well with his son. Gunner is composing his graphic novel, is fond of detective stories, meets of Wunder with blue hair, Jo, Amirah Miller, and persuades her to take him into the forests to meet the legendary Water Man in order to heal his mother.

There are suggestions of Hansel and Gretel in the telling of their journey.

In the meantime, their father is anxious and sets out a search, a huge fire burning on the other side of the forest. However, elements of Gunner’s novel come alive in the search.

Ultimately, the couple are found, a family reconciliation – and the completion of Gunner’s graphic novel.

1. A coming-of-age story? A boy aged 11? The blend of reality and fantasy?
2. The remote town, homes, the streets, the bookshop, the police station, the contrast with the woods, trees and mountains, waterfalls and rivers, remote huts? The musical score?
3. The credibility of the plot? Realism? Fantasy? And wishing that fantasy could be true? The character of the Water Man, the legend in the town, as recounted by Jo, by Jim Bussey with memories of his father, deaths, burials, the gold nugget and survival? Healing capacities?
4. The realism of the film’s style? Narrative? The moving into animation, the animation style, the graphic novels? The sketch style for the narrative about The Water Man? The various times moving into animation and the suggestive mood?
5. Gunner’s story, aged 11, his father in the Navy, devotion to his mother, her illness and his shock? The sternness and discipline of his father? An imaginative boy, on his scooter, watching the funeral (for research)? His drawings, the story, the Graphic Novel imagination? His father not appreciating it? Accidentally standing on the sketch and ink? Gunner’s thinking his father did not like him?
6. His research, the number of books read, going to the bookshop, the advice from the manager? Going to the abandoned building, hearing Jo telling the story, collecting the money from the children? His going to ask her, her financial demands? Agreement? His going to see Jim Bussey, hearing the story of The Water Man?
7. Leaving the note for his mother, his father reading it, not telling his wife? The severity of her illness, incapacitated, in bed, medication?
8. Gunner, going off with Joe, getting the supplies, disapproving of her stealing? The discussions, out in the woods, coming for the night, the fear of creatures, the insects and Jo’s panic, Gunner going out into the night, the sense of presence, their running, leaving the haversack behind? Jo wanting to turn back, Gunner insistent? Her looking at all his money? Going on, the log across the river, his not being able to swim? Going across, slipping, Jo rescuing him? The continuing? His having the sword, his father’s?
9. Going alone, finding the hut, the stones gliding along the way, the encounter with The Water Man, his knowing who Gunner was, their discussions, about his mother? Disappearance?
10. His father, upset, searching for his son, getting the help of the police? The confrontation with his wife, going in the vehicle, Jim Bussey giving advice, information from the bookshop, from the supply store? Driving along the ridge, the fires, calling for his son, finding him, finding Joe, protecting them from the fire?
11. The reconciliation, the gift of the case of pens for Gunner to sketch?
12. The final credits, the Graphic Novel, the adult heroes, Gunner and Jo?