Walking to the Waterline

I caught this film by accident on IFC (Independent Film Channel) yesterday. I didn't really know what to expect, but I found the film involving enough to hold my attention.

Basically, this is a film about a man whose life is like a rudderless boat. Though we see only a week or so of his life, it seems clear that this is pretty much the way his whole life has gone. The main character, Francis MacGowan (played by writer/director Matt Mulhern) returns to his childhood home to sell the house after his father dies. He cannot, however, seem to begin the process, choosing instead to spend his days walking the nearby beach, recalling disparate events of his childhood. Eventually he makes friends with his dad's neighbors and meets Lucy (Hallie Foote) who falls in love with him. Unfortunately for Lucy, Francis is married.

Matt Mulhern is best known as Lieutenant Holowachuk on 'Major Dad.' (In the film, he plays an actor who appeared on a TV sitcom as a soldier. Does this imply that other aspects of the story are also autobiographical?) Also appearing in this movie are Beverly Archer and Jon Cypher (Gunny and the general from 'Major Dad'). Other TV actors include Alan Ruck and Michael Boatman (both from 'Spin City'), and Hal Holbrook (from 'Evening Shade' and 100+ other movies and TV series).

It's not mentioned in the trivia section for this film, but I'm pretty sure Hal Holbrook also supplied the dead father's telephone voice, which makes the scene on the beach between Francis and the old man just a tad spooky. Was this supposed to be Francis' dad giving him advice?

Everyone in the movie plays his/her role well, but Hallie Foote is a standout as the lonely tourguide who falls hard for this sensitive young man.

There are no car chases, fist fights, gun battles, not even a murder. No heroes and no real villains. This is a sweet and simple story of a moment of indecision in a man's life.

Some viewers will complain that nothing much happens here. I found it true-to-life and involving.

I found this movie quite by accident on the Independent Film Channel on day while I was channel surfing. I didn't get to see all of it that first time...but I made it a point to watch it in its entirety when it was on again. I loved this movie. I wouldn't give it a 10. But I would definitely give it a 7. The one thing I liked about it was its realism. This is the way people are...and this is the way people behave...and this is the way people look. The character development was outstanding and the plot was believable. The shore scenes were also wonderful. I would highly recommend this film to anyone.

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!

"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.

This is one of the most fascinating and thoughtful movies of all time! It was funny, sweet, a slice of action, and a bit of tears! It had something for everyone! Alan Ruck did a great job in his role! (I don't want to give too much away, because you have got to see this one!) Matthew Broderick was classic in this beautiful movie!!! Four stars!