As a seasoned film enthusiast who has seen more than my fair share of tragic tales unfold on screen, I must say that Laurynas Bareiša’s “Drowning Dry” stands out as a unique and thought-provoking exploration of grief and resilience. The non-linear storytelling method employed by the director is both intriguing and effective, allowing the audience to piece together the puzzle of what truly happened at the heart of this story.
In the wake of a heartrending incident during a lakeside getaway, the close-knit sisters and their families struggle to adapt to changed circumstances. The Lithuanian film, titled “Drowning Dry“, nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, employs an unconventional narrative structure to portray a gripping tale of shock, sorrow, and the challenges of readjusting to life after a catastrophic event alters everything. Director Laurynas Bareiša takes his time to reveal the story, with the enigma surrounding the events casting a somber shadow over the plot. This deliberate pacing may test some viewers’ endurance, but Bareiša refrains from providing easy answers. Instead, the film underscores that uncertainty and gradual comprehension are integral components of healing after experiencing such a tragedy.
The film introduces us to the tattooed and muscled Lukas (Paulius Markevicius) soon after defeating his opponent in an MMA fighting match. His wife, Ernesta (Gelmine Glemzaite), and son, Kristupas (Herkus Serapas), join him in the locker room with Ernesta’s older sister Juste (Agne Kaktaite), her husband Tomas (Giedrius Kiela), and their daughter, Urte (Olivija Eva Viliüné). Tomas can’t help but show off his expensive new truck to Kristupas as both families pack their cars with groceries. They drive together to the sisters’ family cottage to celebrate Lukas’ victory, leading to some drunken revelry between the women and tense machismo between the men. The tension will escalate terribly in the coming days.
Exploring Tragedy Across Time Without Histrionics
The day after, both families are gearing up for a swim session. While Kristupas and Urte have been naughty, their parents remain unaware of the full extent of it. In an instant, everyone dashes towards the dock to dive into the water. Tomas pretends to playfully throw the kids in, but Lukas is swimming close by. Suddenly, Ernesta and Juste look away for a moment before they realize something has taken a terrible turn.
As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In “Drowning Dry,” the story unfolds across various timelines of varying lengths. The initial act, set by the lake, is the longest and most detailed. It skillfully lays out crucial character relationships before abruptly jumping forward in time without any prior hints, leaving viewers to piece together how we arrived at this moment. Characters mysteriously disappear only to reappear later, adding an intriguing twist. Notably, the sisters undergo a visible transformation, sporting new coats and hairstyles. The narrative takes an unexpected turn with an interaction that completely alters our perception of events at the lake earlier in the story.
Bareiša takes care to avoid overstating anyone’s actions. There’s no open disputes or face-to-face conflicts, but a noticeable undercurrent of tension exists among several characters. Tomas appears threatened by Lukas’ physique, yet he’s far wealthier financially. His affluence is subtly displayed. At first glance, Tomas and Juste seem content, but it’s soon revealed that Juste has been in therapy for a while. They make fun of the therapeutic exercises to downplay their significance. It serves as light-hearted humor to conceal feelings that would otherwise require a more serious conversation, given the impending tragedy. The sisters only openly express themselves when they are compelled to deal with change.
Drowning Dry Is Utterly Realistic
In the movie “Drowning Dry“, Bareiša takes on three crucial roles: director, writer, and cinematographer. He excels at portraying personal moments authentically, offering an unfiltered view. The film employs a documentary-style approach, capturing the cast as they move naturally, much like a real family holiday. This underscores Bareiša’s key insight: the unpredictable cannot be anticipated. Scenes of children playing, sisters dancing, men smoking on the porch, and everyone going for a swim all appear ordinary until fate disrupts them.
In the film Drowning Dry, the soundtrack is sparse and the score is minimal. The absence of music plays a crucial role in the storyline, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Two significant songs that advance the plot are only audible as they’re being played by the actors within the scene itself. Director Bareiša prefers to avoid any artificial elements that might distract from the escalating tension. Music is often a sign of something ominous approaching, like the infamous Jaws theme playing when someone splashes in water, foreshadowing impending danger. However, unlike other films that may overtly show tragedy, Bareiša neither hints at nor visually portrays it. This is another instance where he acknowledges a harsh reality: you don’t always have to witness death to feel its aftermath.
Too Calm for a Tragedy
The movie “Drowning Dry” can be criticized for its subtlety, as it fails to portray the raw emotions associated with tragedy effectively. The absence of intense outbursts or emotional breakdowns weakens the authenticity of the storyline. Even after a significant amount of time has passed, one would expect a more profound response to such a heart-wrenching tale. It seems that Bareiša missed an opportunity to display at least a hint of the sisters experiencing their absolute rock bottom of inconsolable grief. The fact that we don’t witness them in their most vulnerable state almost feels like a shortcut or oversight. Viewing a vase shatter is far more impactful than merely gluing together its cracked pieces, and “Drowning Dry” falls short in this regard, despite being thoughtful and skillfully produced.
The film titled “Sesės,” originally known as “Sisters,” features Lithuanian dialogues with English subtitles. This production is a collaboration between Afterschool and Trickster Pictures, set for a theatrical release in the United States soon by Dekanalog.
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2024-12-01 02:03