Waterproof

I watched Waterproof the first night I got it. I was not sure what to expect when I started watching it other than that it had to be safe for the entire family because it was put out by Cloud Ten Pictures.

I was delightfully surprized when I found myself laughing at "Sugar", and by the time the movie finished, I felt like part of the "family".

While most people may be drawn in by Burt Reynolds, I believe that this has to be one of his best performances ever! He is witty, spunky, and yet soft and gentle too. I was actually amazed that it was the same Burt Reyenolds of years ago.

Whitman Mayo brings the cast into complete harmony with his elderly charm, his great sense of humor and his smile and laugh. He will surely be missed.

This is a wonderful movie with something for everyone. There is action, adventure, romance, comedy, and best of all, the message of Jesus Christ. It is a must see for any family. I myself have seen it over a dozen times and it just keeps getting better.

A white shop owner from DC (Reynolds) is injured and whisked away by a black cab driver (April Grace) to her family's modest home in the Deep South where he stays longer than expected.

Shot in October-November, 1997, "Waterproof" was not released until 2000-2001, but it's a well-done Southern Gothic that respects the intelligence of the viewer. Hours after watching I was able to connect-the-dots and it elicited a 'Wow' reaction.

This is easily one of Burt's best roles, but you have to be in the mood for a drama. I don't want to say much more because it's best for you to discover for yourself, but the movie's warm, sobering and revelational. Moreover, it contains one of the best church sequences in cinematic history.

If you liked Robert Duvall's "The Apostle" (1997), you'll appreciate this.

The film runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot in Tensas Parish in northeast Louisiana with other stuff done in Wilmington, North Carolina.

GRADE: A-/B+

Burt Reynolds as an old Jewish man? Yes, it works. The movie is an inspirational tale of forgiveness and redemption, of faith and hope. For those who think of Burt as the Bandit, or in movies like Cannonball Run, then this movie will surprise you. It is a tale of Americana -- from the big Eastern cities to the rural south. It touches on racial prejudice and mistrust, and how we can overcome such things. It's about family -- the good and the bad of family -- and about not having a family. It's about faith and trust -- in God and in ourselves. And most of all, it's about the need to be forgiven -- and the need to forgive. Watch this with the whole family.

I purchased this movie in a clearance sale.....I didn't expect much. However, I was caught by surprise. This movie is quite captivating. It is also filled with quirky characters that captured me. I wanted to be there. It was much, much better than I expected. My only regret is that the copy I purchased wasn't better quality. I think this movie is a keeper. And Burt Reynold's humble contribution to it was a surprise. I DO wonder how he was connected to this movie. It didn't seem like something he would be involved in, and his character truly didn't belong in the environment, he was immersed in, and yet, he made it real, for that very reason. I thought his part was seemingly subdued, but quietly important. Oh, and I loved the soundtrack! My family and I really enjoyed this movie. You need to listen closely......The dialogue between "Sugar" and "BurtR." was notably funny!

I highly recommend "Waterproof" as a dramatic movie with a lot of good laughs.

Burt Reynolds is Eli, an aging, limping Jewish shopkeeper in D.C. when he is suddenly robbed at gunpoint by a ten-year-old boy and two thugs who put him up to it. The gun goes off and Eli is injured. By coincidence, the young boy's mother is driving by in her cab, she sees her son and begins a cleanup effort. She basically kidnaps Eli and takes everyone down to Louisiana to her hometown which she hasn't visited since she was a teenager.

The kidnapping takes a very unique twist as Eli finds some comforts living with the mother's mother, brothers and grandfather. The grandfather, played by Whitman Mayo ("Grady" from Sanford & Son), is a scene-stealer every time he is on the screen. He concocts a remedy for Eli's gunwound made of spider legs, he says. That plus Eli has to watch nine consecutive sunrises and he'll be all healed up.

This is a beautiful tale wonderfully told. No special camera angles, very little violence, just people dealing with people. I agree with the other people posting that the Christian message is a little heavy-handed, but the rest of the story is a welcome break from the usual Hollywood style.

I rate this movie 10 out of 10. It is at once serious and funny. No matter what mood you're in, you'll probably like it, as long as you can get past the "go to church and that will make you a good person" stuff.