Reviewed By: James D.
Talk about a total shocker. Watching the trailer for this
film and looking at the box art, I was expecting a low budget horror film. What
I got was something truly unforgettable. This is the story of a body of water
actually, and it is called Spirit Lake. I do not admit this often, but I have a
phobia of water. ( I do bathe, so I am not talking about running water in a
house) I am afraid of the open water. So, a film to base itself around water,
will peak my interest. We are told that this lake is so deep, that there may
not be a bottom?
The Midnight Swim is about three sisters and one guy friend who are
trying to cope with the disappearance of the ladies mom. All they know is that
their mom went diving one day, and never came back. The three sisters in their
mom’s house start to become intoxicated with the notion that this lake holds
such a odd mystery to it. This film is told thru the camera lens. The home
video hand style this film displays, gives this film such a rich intimacy about
it. This film deals with loss, and it handles it in such a light yet effective
way. Where you would think this film would be heavy handed with emotion, trying
to grip your heartstrings, this film shows us not what death holds on us, but
what life gives us.
There is a series of sequences that have dead birds, that
really paint such a odd mystery over the way this film delivers a message.
There is a scene in the movie, that we get almost a music video like sing along
that fills the air with glee. To be followed by a role playing scene where one
of the sisters’ decide to act like their mom. To watch the emotion in that
scene will really give you such a kick in the gut. The way this film handles
grief is refreshing, and at times very unique. This film deals with the way,
that life never stops for anything. That, whether you are sad, happy or in a
odd place in life, that life is going onward. This film is that art house
darling that should be making careers. This is a film that should be hailed as
one of the best cinematic experiences you could have. Sometimes the escapism of
film is when it has a subject like loss and handles it in a way that says, “
you are human, this is how life will light your path”. Dear Oscar Committee,
how could you overlook this film? P.S. You suck for doing so. This film is pure
genius, a must see.
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