Amazon.com essential video: This 1992 drama written by Neal Jimenez and codirected by him and Michael Steinberg (the two worked together on the underrated Bodies, Rest, and Motion) stars Eric Stoltz as a successful novelist who becomes paraplegic following a hiking accident. Jimenez, who personally lives with the same condition, gives us an insider's point-of-view on the first terrible days, weeks, and months of adjusting to paralysis, and its effect upon relationships, work, and sex. But the film is also about other kinds of unexpected turns in a life, in this case Stoltz's immersion in an instant community of fellow paraplegics, as well as his reevaluation of an affair with a married editor (Helen Hunt). Stoltz is in great company: besides Hunt's thoughtful, sensual presence, the cast includes Wesley Snipes as another patient, Elizabeth Peña as a sympathetic nurse, and William Forsythe (Palookaville, Raising Arizona) in an outstanding performance that encourages one to reconsider his often one-dimensional career. Despite the bleak subject, The Waterdance is an enormously entertaining and often funny movie that keeps a lid on pity and explores the rediscovery of life, self-respect, and honesty following a disaster. --Tom Keogh
An unforgettable and thrilling movie... It's funny how your life can change in a second... To attend ''The Waterdance'' for the first time it was an unforgettable experience, the way you need to get used to a new way of life it can seem frightening, and to notice that there are other people going by a similar situation it can help you to go on.
Eric Stoltz's performances and mainly of Helen Hunt (oh man!, Helen is the purest and graceful woman in earth...) are wonderful, Wesley Snipes also surprises in one of your last serious roles. A film simple and at the same time deep that doesn't get to leave us indifferent to the message that is transmitted: enjoy each moment of your life...
Really to a film as that the any hour is not attended!!! (sorry, it's a Brazilian expression...).
wow i watched this finnally after my mom said it was good. i loved it. where were you all my life?
Realistic story and tremendous ensemble acting This film never received the attention it deserved, although this is one of the finest pieces of ensemble acting, and one of the most realistic stories I have seen on screen. Clearly filmed on a small budget in a real V.A. Hospital, the center of the story is Joel, very well-played by Eric Stoltz. Joel has been paralyzed in a motorcycle accident, and comes to the hospital to a ward with other men who have spinal injuries. Joel is in love with Anna, his married lover, played by Helen Hunt, who shows early signs of her later Academy-Award winning work.
Although the Joel-Anna relationship is the basic focus, there are many other well-developed characters in the ward. Wesley Snipes does a tremendous job as the angry Raymond. Even more impressive is William Forsythe as the bitter and racist Bloss. I think Forsythe's two best scenes are when he becomes frustrated and angry at the square dancers, and, later, when he feels empathy for a young Korean man who has been shot in a liquor store hold up. My favorite scene with Snipes is the in the roundtable discussion of post-injury sexual options.
The chemistry between Stoltz and Hunt is very strong, and they have two very intimate, but not gratuitous, sex scenes. The orgasm in the ward is both sexy and amusing. There is also another memorable scene where Joel and Bloss and the Korean boy take the specially-equipped van to the strip bar. It's truly a comedy of errors as they make their feeble attempts to get the van going to see the "naked ladies."
The story is made even more poignant by the fact that the director, Neal Jimenez, is paralyzed in real life. This is basically his story. This film is real, not glossy or flashy. To have the amount of talent in a film of such a small budget is amazing. I recommend this film to everyone I see, because it is one of those films that even improves on a second look. It's a shame that such a great piece of work gets overlooked, but through video, perhaps it can get the attention it so richly deserves.
Tells it like it is! As a person with severe mobility impairment, I viewed this picture with interest. I give it my fullest recommendation. It is definitely the best motion picture I have seen on the subject of serious disability and the adaptations required by those who deal with it. Some succeed, some don't, but the movie tells its story with accuracy and compassion.
Exceptional What a great film! Helen Hunt nude? Forget about that. This is great film-making. Stoltz and Snipes are wonderful in their portrayal of men tragically paralyzed in the prime of their lives. This has romance, drama, comedy, and is truly believable. Great unpredictable ending. I somehow missed this one at the theater. Definatley worth the 14 something they want.
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