Waves

Waves is a drama film directed by Trey Edward Shults, released in 2019. The story revolves around the complex dynamics of a working-class family, the Williamses, and explores the delicate balance between desire, ambition, and the fragility of life. The film centers around the patriarch, Ronald Williams, played by Sterling K. Brown, who strives to give his children a better life. He owns a pool cleaning business and lives a modest life with his wife, Catherine, played by Alexandra Shipp. The couple's lives are intricately woven around their children: Tyler, the charming and athletic son, and Emily, the teenage daughter and Tyler's voice of reason. The Williams family is depicted as an idyllic one, with Ronald exerting emotional control over his children. He is relentless in his pursuit of excellence, pushing Tyler to excel in basketball and, in the process, living vicariously through him. The theme of athletic excellence and the pressures that come with it serve as a backdrop for the family's narrative. Tyler's sporting prowess has also earned him a scholarship, ensuring that his college education is all set. This places immense pressure on him to perform daily, while his father coaches him to intensify his training schedule. Tyler, like all teenagers, is experimenting with his identity, still figuring out who he is amidst his duties as a student-athlete. He makes quiet rebellions in his own ways like sneaking out of the house late at night and interacting secretly with Eliza, a new girl in school. This unbridled expression of his youthful energy feels to some extent restricted to a certain acceptable space of Ronald's approval. Emily, on the other hand, feels overshadowed by her brother's achievements and often feels like an afterthought in Ronald's quest for success. Despite this, she aspires to excel both academically and in her music, but also struggles with becoming her own unique individual amidst her father's dominating presence. As the film progresses, the delicate balance that has been sustained within the family begins to fray. An injury to Tyler shatters his prospects for college basketball, and with it, Ronald's ambitions for his son. This setback sets off a chain reaction, revealing the deep-seated emotional rifts within the family. The film's narrative undergoes a dramatic shift when the tragic loss of Ronnie's pregnant wife, Catherine, occurs. The family's tranquil facade is shattered after her passing, exposing the tears, fears, and the fragile bonds that held them together. Emily feels devastated by her mother's loss and struggles to cope with the sudden abandonment of the 'idyllic' family she knew. Tyler's response to the loss is defined by his repressed emotions bubbling through to the surface. This aftermath introduces his physical confrontation with a mysterious teenager at the beach. He also becomes withdrawn, numb, and isolated. Ron's attempt to control the emotions with his 'laid-back' philosophy while being away from home, shows the despair deep within Ryan that breaks out over time. As the story comes full circle, it brings out the question – What does one consider a 'home'? Is it the house they live in, the love they share, or the lessons they learn? The loss that rips this family with love marks their journey toward healing in the aftermath. Ron learns to strip his assertive tone and turns them over to learning and absorbing their emotions in hopes of one day healing together.