Sand Castles

Ten years ago, little Lauren Daly (Anne Winters; Wicked City) was abducted while on a family trip to the beach. Devastated, the remaining family members spend the next ten years battling against alcoholism, depression, and suicide. Sand Castles depicts a tragic story of a lost childhood and the lives affected by that loss.

Ten years on and Lauren's brother, Noah Daly (Jordon Hodges), is taking care of his now alcoholic mother with help from his uncle Tommy (Randy Spence). Quick flashbacks reveal why Noah's father is no longer in the picture; an event that also took its toll on their family. The household is squeaking out a type of existence although it is clear that Lauren's disappearance hit them hard. But then they get a visit from the detective who has been on the case since he was a rookie. He informs them that they have found Lauren alive and it throws their new world for a loop.

Now a teenager and unwilling and/or unable to speak, Lauren tries to reintegrate into her broken family with the detective and a case worker looking over their shoulders. The case worker does her best to help Lauren, including taking her to a play based on a worn out book she carries around. But the presence of alcohol does not help. Lauren's mysterious return also re-energizes the investigation into her disappearance. Clint Howard co-stars as an eye witness who believes he saw Lauren getting dropped off where she was found; an account that leads Tommy down a dark, potentially heart breaking path.

The use of flashbacks is nearly perfect in this film. They tended to be short little clips introducing characters or circumstances just when that information is most useful. For example, when the detective is introduced, they have a quick flashback to him as a rookie getting the call of a missing person (Lauren). It's not too drawn out, gets the exposition out of the way, and keeps the story flowing at a decent pace.

Overall, Sand Castles is an interesting, emotional roller coaster. The characters are (mostly) likable and the actors are very respectable in their parts. The plot is depressingly believable and shows that your world can change in an instant both for the worse and for the better. I would have preferred a bit more closure regarding Lauren's kidnapping, but stick around during the credits for a bonus scene that does wrap up a few last threads of that mystery.

• Bradley Smith, Red Carpet Crash

For free with sub on the thing which is very nice! I watched this on 2023 a few years after it came out but that's no matter for art can live on forever! And that is what this thing is a well-thought nice canard that does its job and does it well! Very nice! I went through all the reviews on here and one in particular stands out because it brought up a scene which the viewer disliked. The one when the cop makes a house visit and breaks everyone something proper like. I was like this is my fav scene. They said it wasn't warranted and that there would be repurcussions. But I think it was warranted for it was explained very well and what reprucurssions if no one finds out. I thought it was warranted because the cop explained himself and we also understand his connection to the victims. But ultimately this thing worked and it worked well! I loved the writing best of all! I think the main actor did a heck of a job penning this thing he should be very proud of the breadth and trying to do something instead of just following some formula which this is most definitely not thank-god cause that's boring owing to that formula being so stale. But the best part was the ending and how he left the thing a beautiful silent mediation on the actions and what all it does. It was just a great great job all around! I've got another one of his flics on queue for free on youtube which is always very nice and I'm about ready to watch it, thanks for the effort and trying to do something with this medium, cool job!

I do not write reviews, but I signed up because there is something special about this film. It's got an indie grittiness that you love in movies like Winter's Bone, but with a light, love and beauty (cinematography is amazing) that you would see in a Terrence Malick film. The story is full of nuance and things you "get" without being told, almost philosophical at times. I read a reviewer called it "Hauntingly poetic", which is a perfect term for it. But like most good movies, you either really love it or you really don't. I loved it. The cast is subtle and raw, the music is captivating, the story is complex and subtle (pay attention to the details, some I only picked up on 2nd watch)... and the cinematography is beautiful. The film won a lot of awards on the film festival circuit and for good reason. Bottom line: The movie made me feel different than most.

P.S. There is an important scene in the middle of the end credits, so stick around!

I very rarely write reviews, but this was such a waste of time I'm hoping to spare others from wasting theirs. The acting was so bad that it was distracting. Terrible from all involved. Awful script, horrible camera work. Comes across as a really bad Lifetime type movie.

First time after thousands of films, feeling the need to comment here. This film can simply be teaching material, how acting should not be like... Main character, Noah and especially his partner, Alison and then that detective... Hard to believe they're really casted by a professional, too bad!