Waterproof

Waterproof is a very moving film that will bring tears to the eyes of most who see it. The film dissects how family members make mistakes in trying to protect their loved ones by covering up or trying to hide the truth and how these mistakes snowball and certainly dont solve anything. The characters are honestly portrayed, flaws and all and the relationships that are built between the characters, despite the circumstances are sweet and poignant. One of the most important aspects of this film is that it tells us of the necessity of forgiveness and ultimately how forgiveness can set you free. I am glad that this film has finally been released on video and DVD. I urge everyone to see this one! It is a keeper!

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 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.

Frank Capra, Jr, Craig Fincannon and Carol Baum traveled to Athens, Georgia in 1999 to show the students at the University of Georgia their feature film, Waterproof. I was fortunate enough to be in the audience, and was enthralled by their presentation and the film itself. What I saw was a film in which the actors were not boasting to their audience or playing a part for money. They saw a script that was full of color and feeling, the emotions that capitulate a family drama. They played characters that were rich and three-dimensional. The dark lighting served as an undertone for the setting and story: the Deep South and dark family secrets. I can't wait to sit down and watch this movie again, two years after the first time I was lucky enough to do so.