Review by Zach Nix
Taylor Lautner, much like previous teen idol Zac Efron, is a young male actor who became a star after appearing in a string of films marketed towards teens, specifically the Twilight franchise. However, and much like Efron, Lautner’s impenetrable stardom eventually ended with his franchise’s conclusion. Therefore, he then began that awkward transitional period as he tried to escape from the teen idol status that he had been labeled with in order to prove his legitimacy as an actor outside of the Twilight saga. His short lived stints with action (i.e. Abduction, Tracers) and comedy (i.e. Grown Ups 2, The Ridiculous 6) certainly didn’t help. However, Lautner’s latest turn in director Soham Mehta’s debut film, Run the Tide, finally showcases him as a dramatic talent to be reckoned with.
The tale of Mehta’s independent family drama has been done in many variations before, but it’s a tried and true story of bonding and forgiveness that is always engaging when done correctly. Reymund (Taylor Lautner) and his younger brother Oliver (newcomer Nicos Christou) live on their own separate from their imprisoned mother, Lola (Constance Zimmer). While Oliver misses his mom, Reymund detests her, as she used to abuse both her children and drugs, even sporadically abandoning them during most of their youth. However, Lola’s time to be released from prison finally comes, and with that arises the film’s central conflict. Lola wants to take back Oliver now that she’s reformed, but Reymund won’t stand for it, haven not forgiven his mother for all of the hurt that she has caused over the years. Therefore, Reymund takes his brother and goes on the road in search of a peace away from his disparate family.
Run the Tide is admirably small town and realistic, especially in its depiction of broken and lower class families. Screenwriter Rajiv Shah weaves themes of forgiveness and coming of age through his tale of a struggling family whom must learn to ‘run the tide,’ as the title suggests, and learn to get along with one another despite their past transgressions. Every central character arcs or develops in a convincing matter, especially Reymund, whose arc is arguably the most central and crucial of the picture. With a realized script made up of convincing characters, backed by strong performances, Run the Tide has the makings of a stupendous independent drama.
Unfortunately, the stylistic handling of the material is where Run the Tide somewhat flounders. While attention to character is clear, it seems that Mehta lacks an understanding of proper pacing, as his film chugs along at a slow pace, tending to meander on moments or scenes that could be cut far shorter. This could also be an issue with the film’s editing, as the decision to focus on a scene or sequence for too long could have easily been fixed in the editing room. The content that fulfills the film is engaging, it’s just simply not conveyed as effectively as it could have been. Stylistic flaws aside, Run the Tide lives and dies on its performances, to which there are several stand outs.
I always knew that Lautner could be a solid actor if given the right material or taken seriously, as it’s clear that Run the Tide is his finest work to date. When not relied upon for his comedic chops or muscular looks, Lautner proves to be a competent actor who conveys desperation, frustration, and determination within his character very convincingly. Let’s hope that future directors catch a hold of Lautner’s work here, because he has all the makings of a comeback if given the proper projects.
Lautner is also to be praised for his chemistry with standouts Nicos Christou and Johanna Braddy. Reliable child actors are hard to come by in cinema, as they tend to be annoying in all honesty. However, Christou is especially compelling as Lautner’s younger brother, as he explodes off of the screen thanks to his commitment to the part and convincing performance. Age and experience is not even a matter once you see Christou on screen, as he is that fantastic a performer. Attention is also to be given to Braddy as Lautner’s love interest, as the two have a fantastic chemistry with one another as a doomed couple whose temporary romance rings harsh but affective. Their interactions and story add another layer of complexity to a film that is already about so much more.
All in all, Run the Tide is a solid debut for its director and the best showcase of Lautner’s acting abilities to date. It’s clear that each can go on to greater things if they learn to play their cards right. Although Mehta has a lot to learn about the strengths of pacing and editing, his debut makes for a fine feature that showcases his attention to character. And Lautner, who was once the teen idol of his generation, could easily go on to bigger and greater things if given the chance after delivering the goods here. Here’s to hoping that each of these stalwart players in cinema use Run the Tide as a stepping stone in sure long lasting careers in which they could easily get better and better with time and experience.
3 of 5 Stars
Momentum Pictures and Orion Releasing will release RUN THE TIDE in select theaters and On Demand / Digital HD on December 2, 2016.
