Customer Reviews

Treading Water

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I have never reviewed a movie here or anywhere else. I usually don't feel my opinion would influence anyone one way or the other; however, after reading some of the extremely negative reviews of this film I decided to put in my two cents. I am certain this film was made under the extrmely difficult constraints of time and money. That is the nature of independent filmmaking. After watching this film several times, I feel that the director, cast and crew managed to transcend those constraints rather nicely. Granted, the sound is not Hollywood perfect. Neither is the lighting or probably the editing. What is left is a REAL story about a young woman whose family life seemed almost normal, until she "came out" to them. The mother refuses to accept her daughter's lesbianism and makes her life really difficult. The father is more understanding, as well as other family members; Casey is torn betwen the loyalty she feels towards her family and the love she feel for Alex. This is a story which is very real to a lot of us. Being gay is not always fun, as some mainstream movies and TV shows would want us to believe. There is an unbelievable chemistry between the two lead characters, Casey and Alex.
When watching them together, you begin to feel that they are actually in love for real.I could go on forever about this movie but I will end my comments by saying that all films, including gay/lesbian films, do not have to be formulaic. They don't all have to have perfect sound, lighting and Merryl Streep-like acting. They don't have to cost millions of dollars to produce, and they don't all have to have "hot" sex scenes to be enjoyed. Some tender, loving kissing, hugging and cuddling can be just as effective, if not more effective, to get the message accross. Watch it with an open mind and you will enjoy it. Thank you for reading this.

What a long, stange trip it's been for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered characters in American cinema. Characters with any kind of "alternate" sexual identity or orientation were all but invisible for most of the history of the movies made in the U.S. When we finally did get "representation", it was usually in the form of stereotypes and images which were unrealistic and/or demeaning. With the advent of independent cinema and cable TV, now we have more options, and filmmakers are less restrained by the shackles of the big studios to express themselves. For the first time ever, in the early '90's, we started seeing stories about people that always existed, and seeing characters who lived in real life but not on film. In "Treading Water", director Lauren Himmel exposes the drama and family dynamics that lie below the surface of (what seems like) just another Christmas day gathering for an "ordinary" middle class American family. Movie-goers always had a thing for family drama, but in "Treading Water", we get to see it from the viewpoint of Casey, a young lesbian fisherwoman. Casey (Angela Redman) and her partner Alex (Nina Landy) are a committed couple-- they live together, make love, fight, and deal with the pressures of the outside world. Casey and Alex are in love, yet Casey's overly-controlling, ice queen of a mother (Annette Miller) shows unyieding disapproval of her daughter's looks, lifestyle, and relationship, mixing equal parts guilt with borderline cruelty. The mother uses Casey as something of a scapegoat, seeming to blame her daughter's "defiance" for the family's overall discontent. The matriarch gives Casey an ultimatum: she either comes over for the Christmas holiday without Alex, or she doesn't come at all. Casey refuses to give in. In the middle of the movie, Alex reveals a secret which threatens to affect the couple's relationship, and which forces Casey to analyze her family situation with a new sense of importance. "Treading Water" realistically depicts the plight that many lesbians and gay men face when it comes to family matters: Do we remain true to ourselves, or swallow our pride to "keep the peace"? Ironically, Casey's father is willing to let his daughter be herself, and other members of Casey's family are also accepting, including a little girl who knows that Casey is gay and in unblemished childlike simplicity, doesn't know what all the fuss is about. "Treading Water" is a provocative drama, with some comedic touches by a character named Carmen, Casey and Alex's Latina spitfire of a friend. The film shows that there are no easy answers, but it forces us to realize that sticking to what we know is right is much better than trying to please everyone

I read the mixed reviews on this movie many times before actually ordering it as I was undecided since the reviews were all over the place. I decided. I ordered. I watched. The end result - it's a very, very good movie. I think what makes it work is the couples relationship. It's very real. It's very genuine. It is quite refreshing to actually see a movie where 2 woman are already involved, where they start out being gay... with no typical "I'm going back to being hetero" ending! The drama of the family situation is intense, but there is quite a bit of comic relief played by the friend Carmen. The love scenes are simple and tender. The plot is heavy. The acting is not overly executed but you find yourself being drawn to the women, their story and shared love. I'm happy I stumbled across it. If you are not a true movie critic or critic in general, you will find yourself enjoying this movie for many reasons, many times over.

Anyone who says "best ever" hasn't seen many movies, but, it's a really refreshing move off the beaten track in terms of subject, but not very skillfully filmed. The cover art is deceiving: it looks like a warm summer romp in St. Tropez, but it takes place around Christmas on the east coast. The characters are interesting, and very real and believable; so is the family situation which is the focus of the movie and the issues between the main characters. The women have great chemistry between them - I was convinced that they have known each other and/or have been together for years. I liked their lifestyle, THANK GOD for something NOT stereotypical. This is a brooding movie set in New England, so don't expect anything cheery, but it works pretty well. I really did like the focus, but the dialogue was a bit shakey at times. The Mother is deliciously cold and stubborn, and the "buddy" who visits is the perfect counter to the gloomy mood. Worth a watch.

This is good film based primarily on the two main actresses. While the storyline can be frustrating at times, it is revitalized each time beautiful Nina Landey (Alex) is on screen. The two women have great chemistry that makes you enjoy them without needing them to be explicitly sexual. The movie will not give you a nice Hollywood ending, but shows you that true love does not end because of a dissaproving family. This movie can be very true to life, and is best if the viewer focuses on the bond of the two main characters, not the problems of the family. Overall, a nice, realistic love story that I would recommend.

The movie is okay, but not great. The couple is believable, but the problem family is overdone. Mom is just a little too much and the whole situation is a little unreal. The lead characters aren't quite up to being leads. Almost, but not quite. Overall, it was slow but a good try.

I also thought the acting was pretty good. The family issues have been done - the mother is quite similar to "It's In the Water." I enjoyed the film though - at least one of the main characters doesn't die - kill herself - go straight or get into the breeder mode. We still have a long way to go on lesbian films, folks. Hopefully this is a start.

This movie was actually quite good, especially compared with the lesbian films out there. It had a plot (which always helps), pretty good acting, and characters that are easy to love. It will eventually be added to my collection.

If you want the world problems solved in 90 minutes then rent another movie. This is a independent movie-aka low budget, little time to shot the thing and new actors. So...as for an indy film it's not all that bad...there were several story lines going but you had to work at finding them.
The part of the film that bugs the heck out of me was the sound quality or lack there of. At certain times, I flat out couldn't hear what was being spoken. Bottom line...it's a rental not a buyer. Rent two movies that night just to be safe.

This is my most favorite film. I have owned it for not even a week now and probably have watched it around 10 times. I know that it sounds like obsession, but its not. I loved it, love it! I watched it with my girlfriend and the story plot is so much like our lives and situation. Im Casey and she is Alex. I have an upper-class dominating family that is awful towards my girlfriend, but yet I cant just kick them out of my life. I love the intimate realtionship that Casey and Alex have. I also love to watch this movie with the commentary: Lauren, Angie, and Nina are hilarious but I love it. Angela Redman is now my favorite actress. Im ready to see more moivies from Lauren Trimmel.