The Wait (2014)

This movie started out really good. Then it just got so confusing and didn't make a lot of sense. For example, who called her on the phone? Was it just her brother playing a trick on her? I couldn't tell. And what was up with the time capsule? And who was at the door at the end? As good an actress as chloe is, even her facial expressions were very confusing. And why did she seem so confused when jenna finally "saw the light" and thought her mom was going to return? Why? She was the one who got her to believe it in the first place? And did the puppy die? And since her daughter was with her when she bought it, how did she not know her mom had a puppy in a box? Just too many questions. Too many loose ends to make any sense.

Emily Dickenson said something about knowing she'd encountered a true poem if it took the top of her head off, or something like that. I know I've encountered a real film, when immediately after the credits have rolled I need to watch it again. M. Blash's "The Wait" is one of those for sure. There was a moment when the sound changed and the image cut to an eerie moon, fire- orange and smoke-black, the clouds moving like a haunting. There was something Kubrick there. And again in the twinning of the blond mother and daughter pair, after a desperate trip to town, which culminated in twin curled coifs. I also loved the primal backdrop of fire, floral light piercing a cave's interior, a herd of horses running, a girl running, a girl dancing. I will put this on the list of my favorite films this year, which also includes Lars Von Trier's "Nymphomaniac" and "Blue is The Warmest Color".

The Wait is the type of independent drama that the critics always love and that I usually hate. I decided to watch it though, because of one very special cast member, who is really coming into his own, Devon Gearhart. Even since I saw this young man in the movie Canvas, I knew he was really something special. Gearhart's unique ability to get the viewers to empathize with whatever character he is playing, gives him a strength that very few actors have. I knew from the description that the character of Ben, in The Wait, was a perfect outlet for him to express this ability and he does not disappoint. As for the rest of the film, it is a dark, eclectic film, full of odd symbolism and strange music, that to be honest is a bit over my head, but it's also a film that most audiences can relate to. The family portrayed, whose last name we never know, is pulling together and preparing for the tragic death of their terminally ill mother. The family is preparing themselves for the worst, that could happen any day, when they come in contact with a psychic. The psychic tells them that their mother is special and destine to come back from the grave, leading the family to not only hold off on making any funeral plans, but the prediction leads them to prepare a welcome home party. As I said the storyline is strange, the film is full of strange symbolism, and it moves rather slowly, but the cast here is unbelievable. Aside from Gearhart's out of this world performance, that will leave even the toughest person in tears, both Chloe Sevigny and Jena Malone are fantastic as the two eldest sisters. The sisters, always at odds are trying to pull themselves together for the inevitable, but are once again drawn apart by the psychic's prediction, leading to a dramatic rift in the storyline. The bottom line is, that The Wait, isn't a film for me, but I can see many people really enjoying it. The story is unique, the performances are terrific, and the future of Hollywood may be on display in this relatively unknown masterpiece.

I am highly confused by the Critics and scathing Audience reviews. This was a solid "A", for me, and a very well made film, with brilliantly acted characters, most especially, Jena Malone and Chloë Sevigny. Yes, this is not a movie for all but what movie is? It is a rather chilly, dark, lovely, and hypnotic piece of work and had quite a few unexpected scenes that were unfolding in front of me and kept me completely interested and invested in the characters in the film. If you like a Dramatic film, with a side of Psychological Semi-Thriller/Chiller, give this film a chance. I don't understand how most people who wrote reviews for this movie didn't get or understand it, as it was very clear to me and it also leaves you with quite a few possibilities on how you (the viewer) can leave to your own devices. The main plot is about three Siblings, who have lost their Mother, and how they, individually, cope and grieve shortly afterward. Like a well done movie, this one was gorgeously shot, has a haunting and hypnotic Score, by Owen Pallett, and truly captures the mood throughout. I could not say enough positive things about this movie! I watched it with a friend, who is 19 years older than myself, and likes the classics, like "Citizen Kane", etc., and was unsure of what he would think of this film. He loved it also and it made a great conversation piece, between us, for the rest of the evening. M. Blash, I think you did an outstanding job and was rather touched, moved, involved, and inspired by your Creation! A true gem!Grade: A