Watching Waves for the second time recently affected me even more than when I first saw it, and few films have ever hit me that way. It is the story of a young star pushed too far under pressure, and how his family deals with grief, love, and the life full of chaos he leaves behind. What I noticed more visibly the second time watching it was the shift between the moment Tyler is caught and the change to Emily’s point of view. This scene, perfectly in the middle of the film, has beautiful visuals and begins with the camera focused on Tyler, then fades into a moment similar to when you close your eyes just enough to still allow light to come in through your eyelids. From that point on, the camera refocused on Emily’s face and her life after what her brother did. 

I think this film is so important to understand because of the sad truth and reality behind the story.  Every character’s struggles become what someone may have experienced themself. So it strikes me as such an impactful film due to how it relates to real life. 

             Waves, the title, signifies life changing with the tide, ebbing and flowing. And while Tyler’s story ends with harsh stormy waters, Emily’s story calms the audience and allows them to recover. The first half of the film absolutely crushes the watcher, making them feel for every character in new ways, while the second half shows healing and forgiveness. It tells the tale of life, with the brutal pain but also accompanied by joy and love, and I think that’s why it’s so beautiful.