REVIEW: Sterling K. Brown Shines in New Film, Waves

Directed by Trey Edward Shultz, Waves is the story of a family attempting to navigate life, forgiveness, and love when tragedy unfolds. Starring Sterling K. Brown, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell, and Renee Elise Goldsberry, the films opens focusing on the family’s son, Tyler (Harrison), a star high school wrestler who is destined for greatness. However, when an injury to his shoulder begins to threaten his wrestling career, Tyler’s life begins to unravel. His fear of disappointing his dad, and not being good enough, begins to impact Tyler in more ways than one and his choices soon spill over to change his family’s lives forever.

The acting in this film is fantastic. Brown is great as Ronald, Tyler’s dad and his chemistry with Harrison would have you believe they are father and son in real life. Their scenes are intense, but they’re real and raw and true to the story.

Russell plays Tyler’s sister, Emily and this is really her story. She goes from a quiet secondary character in the beginning to the lead by the film’s end, and she does it with ease. I almost wish we had more of her to start as she’s that intriguing, but that likely would have changed the arc of the story.

Waves isn’t a lighthearted movie, but it is a movie that will force audiences to evaluate how tragedy can affect a family. The story takes an interesting turn halfway through the movie, which changes the entire family and each of the characters in dramatically different ways. That turn not only challenges the family, but forces them to decide how they will handle this tragedy and move forward. It also forces them to question the choices they made as a unit and as individuals and whether those choices had a part in the tragedy.

If you are looking for an intense and emotionally driven movie to see this weekend, Waves is for you. However, I would recommend waiting to see it when it comes out on On Demand on DVD. This is the type of movie you want to be watching from the comfort of your own home rather than a theater.

Grade: B