Undertow (2004)

October 22, 2004 (GB) • Drama, Thriller • 108m

Overview

The Munns, father John and sons Chris and Tim, recede to the woods of rural Georgia. Their life together is forever changed with the arrival of Uncle Deel, though the tragedy that follows forces troubled Chris to become a man.

Director

David Gordon Green

Writers

Joe Conway, David Gordon Green, Terrence Malick

Top Billed

Jamie Bell

Keywords

river runaway uncle dysfunctional family grandparents curse illness ex-con savannah georgia jealous brother southern gothic brothers pig farm rural south secret boy violence valuable coins

Where to watch

Free / Included

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Amazon Prime Video with Ads

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Top Billed Cast

Jamie Bell

Chris Munn

Josh Lucas

Deel Munn

Dermot Mulroney

John Munn

Devon Alan

Tim Munn

Kristen Stewart

Lila

Robert Longstreet

Bern

Terry Loughlin

Officer Clayton

Eddie Rouse

Wadsworth Pela

Patrice Johnson

Amica Pela

Charles 'Jester' Poston

Hard Hat Dandy

Mark Darby Robinson

Conway

Pat Healy

Grant the Mechanic

Leigh Higginbotham

Muriel the Cashier

Alfred M. Jackson

Dock Worker

William D. Turner

Dock Worker

Michael Bacall

Jacob

Shiri Appleby

Violet

Carla Bessey

Violet's Friend

Damian Jewan Lee

Gus

Bill McKinney

Grandfather

Michael Gulick

Old Shirtless Man

David Blazina

Watch-Guard

Carlos DeLoach

Big Bad Cop

George Smith

Milk Man

H.G. Green

Newscaster

Jesse Scott Nelson

Retardoe

Craig Zobel

Bridegroom

Sophia Lin

Mail-Order Bride

Anne Marie Dove

Tattoo Girl

Thelma Louise Carter

Grandmother

Crew

Joe Conway

Screenplay

David Gordon Green

Director

Alessandro Camon

Executive Producer

Edward R. Pressman

Producer

Terrence Malick

Producer

Saar Klein

Executive Producer

Lisa Muskat

Producer

David Gordon Green

Screenplay

John Schmidt

Executive Producer

Sophia Lin

Line Producer

Tim Orr

Director of Photography

Jill Newell

Costume Design

Summer Eubanks

Set Decoration

Mali Finn

Casting

Dale Robinette

Still Photographer

Richard A. Wright

Production Design

Karey Williams

Still Photographer

Philip Glass

Original Music Composer

Zene Baker

Editor

Craig Zobel

Production Manager

Mark Wike

Music Supervisor

Steven Gonzales

Editor

Cal Johnson

Stunt Coordinator

Jane Rizzo

Assistant Editor

Jay Gallagher

Sound Editor

Matt Coby

Sound Editor

Patricia Gorman

Sound Editor

Larry Blake

Supervising Sound Editor

Christof Gebert

Production Sound Mixer

Larry Blake

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Terrence Malick

Story

Zene Baker

Script Supervisor

Reviews

Wuchak

⭐ 7/10

November 22, 2019

***Haunting and surreal Southern Gothic is nigh post-apocalyptic***

Two boys living with their father (Dermot Mulroney) in rural Georgia near Savannah (where the film was shot) try to eke out a living off the land. Chris (Jamie Bell) is about 16 and Tim around 10; both manifest their grief over their dead mother and the challenges of their destitute isolation in different ways: Chris gets in trouble with the law while Tim strangely seems preoccupied with consuming non-edible items. Their father's brother (Josh Lucas) comes to visit and seems affable enough, but there's a wild, sinister glint in his eyes. No wonder, he's inwardly frothing with hostility and greed.

David Gordon Green's "Undertow" (2004) is a bit reminiscent of Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven" (1978) in that both are realistic dramas focusing on youths in rural areas and both offer a dreamy viewing experience. Each tries hard to enchant with their movie magic. Unlike "Days," however, "Undertow" is rooted in Southern Gothic. Of the two, I favor "Undertow."

After viewing the director’s awesome "Snow Angels" (2007), easily one of the greatest dramas ever filmed, I decided to give this one, his previous film, another chance. I'm glad I did because "Undertow" is the type of movie that improves on repeat viewings.

But these types of arty flicks aren't for everyone. Those bred on modern blockbusters will likely find "Undertow" dull, meandering and pointless. I myself wasn't all that impressed the first time I watched it. I didn't hate it; I just didn't "get" it. I'm glad I gave it a second (and third) chance, however, because "Undertow" succeeded in pulling me in under its spell. You just have to be in the right mode for a film of this ilk.

The "dreamy" quality noted above is facilitated by Philip Glass' mesmerizing score that plays during the opening and closing credits. It's simple and repetitive, but spellbinding. I've gone to the credits a few times just to enjoy this brilliant piece.

Being a Southern Gothic drama/thriller, "Undertow" has a cool Southern ambiance with focus on the rural underbelly. Other films that are successful in this regard come to mind: "The General's Daughter," "Ode to Billy Joe," "I Walk the Line" (with Gregory Peck, 1970), "Mississippi Burning," "Squirm," "The Man in the Moon" and "The Skeleton Key." If you have a taste for these types of films, including the aforementioned "Days of Heaven," you'll likely appreciate "Undertow." The difference with “Undertow” is that it concentrates so exclusively on pastoral paucity that it cops a poetic post-apocalyptic ambiance.

The film runs 1 hour, 48 minutes. Kristen Stewart has a small role in the first act.

GRADE: B/B-

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Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

—

Revenue

$156,767

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Undertow (2004)

Joe Conway, David Gordon Green, Terrence Malick

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Wuchak

Recommended Movies

Ratatouille

The Notebook

Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead

Rambo

Status

Original Language

Budget

Revenue

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