After the Waterfall is a New Zealand film continuing the tradition of exploring fears common to the Kiwi psyche – fear of losing a child, fear of the wilderness, and fear of one’s own emotional capacity.
The opening sequence is a barbeque with friends and family, the camera snatching almost impressionistic glimpses of the action, immediately creating a soft, dreamlike vibe that lasts for the duration. The sound design adds so much with so little, capturing the region’s tranquility.
As conveyed by the title, the film is not about the circumstances of a little girl’s disappearance, but what happens to her father as he deals with the aftermath. As this man, Antony Starr is a charismatic presence. His character seems caring but not overly so, as if reluctant to reveal himself. A closed-off world begins to open for him as he decides to lower his guard.
It’s heavy stuff, and the route to redemption is a long slog, both for the characters and the audience. Unfortunately for the film’s final stretch, a couple of moments feel false, whether through awkward dialogue or inconsistent behaviour. The languid pacing, however, allows for the viewer to engage in the atmosphere and make their own observations about the characters and the fears they share.
