Walking to the Waterline

I was just watching the independent film channel one day and I saw this wonderful little movie. I consider myself somewhat of a movie buff and I had never heard of the picture, so I was happily shocked to see a movie of this caliber. I believe that the film displays the true emotions of what life is really like and the thought process that goes on in the average person's psyche. I especially enjoyed the performance of Matt Mulhern, he was captivating and truly human. Overall, I would highly recommend this movie and I hope to see more work from Matt Mulhern in the future!

This low-key, wonderful film deserves much more than the occasional showing on IFC. What a surprise. A little slow to start off with, but like a good novel, you soon get into the story. Not that much actually happens. No explosions, nobody gets shot, no spooky stuff. But the feelings are more real than any action thriller could dream of. Tender acting and an unusually believable ending. Top marks!

Anyone who knows the fleeting value of "fame" will find this tale true and funny. I like that Mulhern put himself out there as a writer (of a story familiar to him), and director. I also found the unique shoot location (a tourist elephant on the New Jersey shore)a lively metaphor for the passing strangeness of life. Here's a guy (Mulhern)off balance following the death of his father when he visits the family summer home to empty and sell it. He's away from his current life, swept back into his childhood with gay neighbors who knew him "when." He finds warmth with a quirky woman (Foote)who shows him kindness and genuine regard. I found it touching and delightful. Loved the cameos by Broderick and Flanagan written with smooth economy of dialog showing the cold stone of agency people when you're no longer "hot."

"Walking" is a higher order of film; it's more true to life and has far more nuance than the usual Hollywood product: no cardboard cut-out characters here or simplistic situations.

More often than not I find Independent films a risky proposition as far as entertainment is concerned--they are usually too artsy, too abstract, and/or just plain boring. But movies like this make one glad there is such a thing as Independent film.

I agree with some of the other reviewers: "Walking" is somewhat slow at first but one soon becomes involved in it; though I liked it a lot I'd give it a 7 or 8: it's easy to get carried away in one's praise and enthusiasm for movies like this because it's such a relief not to be subjected to the same old cliches for the umpteenth time.

I started watching this movie on IFC one day and it was so wonderfully done; great characters and story - well developed - it catches the feel of the Jersey shore so beautifully and the people who live there year round and often work in Atlantic City. Not to be missed.