The Wake of Light (2019) Poster

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6/10
Sweet story, but just didn't get there
cls195412 September 2021
The premise was sweet and it was pretty well done, but there just wasn't enough to it. So much more could have been done to round out what could have been a good film. I realize it is an indie and I appreciate the effort, but it was only about a half hour of story and the rest filler. And that awful piano music! Maybe it's because I'm a musician (mainly pianist), but that plinky, repetitive piano music was way over the top--like nails on a chalk board. Fortunately, there wasn't much dialogue so I could mute most of it.
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5/10
Long winded art video
sixjax8 August 2021
If you like slow, repetitive piano music with a little bit of sad string section sprinkled here and there, then this is the film for you. This seriously could have been a 4 minute music video. The piano playing was lovely, but after awhile it's I all noticed.
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7/10
Well, if you've never seen a Terrence Malick film...
nickspinner-652018 February 2021
...I'll give it a 7 out of 10 for you! But I'd suggest skipping this and watching "Days of Heaven" instead, and if you already saw that, I'm not sure what this film will do for you. The style is very similar but not nearly as effective as prime Malick; after a while it starts to feel manipulative. I think these kinds of films work well when the audience senses urgency for the main characters (s). Here, however, the main character is young and likely has plenty of time to pursue other things. Moreover, she doesn't come across as all that motivated to do something else with her life (perhaps giving her a special goal/dream and showing us how she longs for it in her spare time would have helped a lot). The visuals are nice, but only for a short time, and then we see that it's a rather alienating landscape to some degree, but the director doesn't utilize this and instead we just get the same types of scenes and music. The plot is too thin if the acting is just okay and the visuals or audio/visual patterns just keep repeating, which is the case here.
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2/10
Could have been done better
cudax31 October 2021
Excruciatingly slow moving. Lacking in any real character development. The plot could have made for a much better film, but alas, failed miserably. Could have been filmed by a student or two with a budget of a few hundred dollars. The whole thing seems to be drowning under a really loud piano, which just gets irritating after a short time. I had to force myself to keep watching, but, in the end, I regret the time wasted!
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2/10
The Waste of Time
niaz_islam15 April 2021
The film is about a small town girl spending her days taking care of her disabled father, whose life gets some color when a boys enters her life.

The story of the film had potential if a little bit of more work was done in the script making the dialogues and scene sequences more vibrant. The annoying part of the film was the loud background music, which was clearly overdone. Acting was average overall with some occasional overacting here and there. Although the lighting and camera work was fine but the location section was not ideal to make an impact with the relevant scenes.

Not Recommended.
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9/10
A sweet and gentle romance
MarcAramian14 January 2020
We begin the film on a soft, gentle and quirky walk through a small town in California as we follow a lady selling fresh well water to the thirsty. The town is like a lot of rural America; dilapidated buildings alongside the loyal citizenry who hang on to the rural dream. The town struggles to gentrify without losing the rustic charm. We follow this lady to her home at the end of the day and discover she's the caretaker for a scary-looking giant, her father, who's been debillitated by some medical trauma. The lady is an inspiration, always the optimist, dedicated to family, carving out a minimal existence and getting by just fine. One day is like any other and has been for years until she crosses paths with a wanderer whose car broke down in her town. She's the reluctant one. He's the relentless one as they try to find romance without getting hurt. Unlike so many 'romances,' the story ends in an unusual but very satisfying way. I won't spoil it for you.
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10/10
Truly Special Film
thesweetspot8 January 2020
Gotta love filmmakers that push the limits. This film will connect with you in ways that no other film will - it is truly special and deserves being seen. Do it!
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9/10
A movie that makes you feel good
cslaursen11 January 2020
I found this movie to be a welcome relief from the norm. The story is thoughtful and beautifully shot. Though it's a drama it's not too heavy. It's inspirational, and ends positively, but its not predictable. The actors were wonderfully human and relatable. It would be too simple to say it's a detox from the hyper-everything about so much of life today, but that it is. You just leave with a positive feeling that sticks with you for a while.
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9/10
Indie Film Worth Your Time
mattdiezel31 December 2019
The Wake of Light is a tender & heartfelt story of a woman who tries to find her way towards a relationship with God as she struggles with the weight of responsibility to her father. Kudos to Matt Bush as Cole, the outsider who provides a needed counterbalance to Mary's (Rome Brooks) internal struggles.
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10/10
Sweet and thoughtful
swordofkrom24 January 2020
We saw this film at the Culver City Film Festival and got to meet the film maker Renji Phillip and star Rome Brooks. The film is a sweet and thoughtful picture of love and hope. Go see this film !
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9/10
A Special Film
fosterhouse20 January 2020
My husband and I saw this film at the KC Film Festival. It's one you won't want to miss. The story is well written and draws you in. It's an in-depth insight to the life of a caregiver for an elderly parent. Rome Brooks does an excellent job of showing us her devotion to her father, and her needs for herself. So true to life.
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10/10
Visually Stunning and Heartfelt Indie Film
jonritner20 June 2019
My wife and I saw a screening of this at a local festival and thoroughly enjoyed its. The story moves along well, the characters are relatable but most of all the cinematography and visual imagery are stunning. You get taken away to the fields and landscape of rural life in a way that made a city dweller like me long to slow down and find more peace and rest in life.
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9/10
A deeply moving and beautiful film.
calvertla11 January 2020
I was fortunate to see a studio screening of this film in Los Angeles. The quiet strength and grace in the portrayal of Mary by Rome Brooks is the rock that anchors this movie deep in my heart. A film rich in humanity and love that is beautifully shot and acted by everyone involved. Matt Bush and William Morton are brilliant as well. Please see this film.
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10/10
I loved this film
janiesomers15 June 2019
I saw this film at the Worldfest-Houston Film Festival almost by mistake. I was attending the festival to see another film and came across The Wake of Light. I LOVED IT. What a beautiful story. It's simple, yet deep. Real, yet profound in so many ways. Amazing performances, especially by the lead and the dad. When this film is available to the public I HIGHLY recommend people see this film!
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9/10
Great Indie
philippatrick-2585715 June 2019
This film is a perfect mix of a dramatic narrative infused with poetry. It reminded me of The Piano or What's Eating Gilbert Grape (in a strange way). The director really has a unique and different vision than most of what you see you there. Kudos here!
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10/10
A must see
BrianThornton13 January 2020
Although I have been in this business for nearly 30 years, in a variety of capacities, I rarely take the time to watch movies or TV...unorthodox, I'm certain, but when I happened to take in this film, I had so much gratitude!

WOW what a wonderful story of relationships with a not-so-typical ending.

This is a drama that people would LOVE to see. This beautifully crafted story PROVES that drama doesn't need to be "heavy" in order to reach in and touch me, and all who take the chance of fate to watch.

Well shot, well lit, well scored on top of allowing us to see BEAUTIFUL SOULFUL JOURNEYS of these people with which so many will identify.

Rome Brooks, Matt Bush, William Lige Morton, Renji Philip and the rest of crew and cast WOW! Showing curiosity and self exploration with the "discovery", of answers already floating within, was masterful!

This quality film rivals ANY big budget production, in content and quality, EASILY.

I look forward to any future projects this team produces.
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9/10
A great movie
cdismoren16 June 2019
This movie is very timely for me as I am taking care of an aging parent. It really conveys the challenges, rewards and truth that comes with this kind of relationship. I loved the lead character so much and how devoted she is to caring for her father. No spoilers: but when she meets the young man she really has an impossible choice to make. Worth seeing!
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9/10
Lovely film
jonslater-944499 September 2021
Every now and then I see a little gem like this.

Just like the last reviewer it has so much strength. The amazing part is nothing really happens.

Thank you, I like this type of work.
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10/10
Amazing
scottmichael-4625127 July 2019
Absolute great film, Tyler Steelman played his role perfectly! He is a superstar.
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10/10
Charming and thoughtful story of loss, healing and love
This film is a thoughtful and intimate portrait of a guarded woman who cares deeply and is devoted to her ailing father but must learn she has to think about her own needs and open her heart if she wants to grow spiritually. It's not often you see a picture this honest and original, that is brave enough to dissect such a sensitive issue, and leaves you thinking about it weeks afterward. I saw it when it came out and was excited to rent it to see if it was just as powerful.
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