May. 07, 2021|United States|92 Min.|PG
Genre: Action;&;Adventure;Adventure;Drama;Mystery;Thriller
Description: The Water Man premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2020, and was released in the United States on May 7, 2021, by RLJE Films. Initially, David Oyelowo planned to act and produce the film, but after the original director left, he decided to take on the role of director as well. The screenplay was written by Emma Needell, and Oprah Winfrey executive produced the film under her Harpo Films banner. Disney was originally set to distribute the film but later stepped back.
The story follows a young boy who embarks on a quest to find a mythical figure known as the Water Man, hoping to save his ailing mother. The film explores complex themes in a manner suitable for children and families, presenting the narrative from a child’s perspective. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 77% approval rating based on 71 reviews, with an average score of 6.6/10. Metacritic gave it a weighted average score of 68 out of 100, indicating generally positive reviews.
The cast includes Rosario Dawson, Lonnie Chavis, Amiah Miller, Alfred Molina, and Maria Bello. Oyelowo shared that he consulted with Angelina Jolie, Nate Parker, Joel Edgerton, and Mel Gibson, who had previously directed films they also starred in. Netflix took on international distribution, ensuring the film reached a global audience.
Cast director: David Oyelowo
Cast actor: Rosario Dawson, Alfred Molina, Maria Bello, David Oyelowo, Amiah Miller, Lonnie Chavis
Original name: The Water Man