Tideland (2005)

Very disappointing...

Thanks for the memories!

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

Tideland is one of the most unique, emotionally charged, and sophisticated films I have seen to date ( and I've seen quite a few). Terry Gilliam has been in the business a long time, so here he knew what to do...and what NOT to do. Tideland is a tale of fantasy and reality, and where the lines between fantasy and reality are completely blurred. To some, I can see this movie torquing with a lot of peoples heads, although I am certain that was never the intention. To others, it could be disturbing and frightening. For me, I found it to be a clever take on Alice In Wonderland. In fact, I can see this being an adult version of Wonderland altogether. The film wastes no time, taking us immediately into the life of a little girl, and her repulsive parents. Her mom is a junkie who cares more about her chocolates then her own daughter, and her father is an equal drug junkie who spends most of his time in his favorite recliner chair. From here, we begin a journey, seen through the eyes of a child. When mom is found dead in her own home, dad takes his child to another place...where he thinks he will be safe, because he fears that he will be charged with murder. Now things quickly get interesting, when some new characters are developed, particularly Dell and her mentally challenged son Dickens, who wants to build a ship ( he also wants to be the captain!) With the combination of talking dismembered doll heads, shifting land surfaces, and alternative under water human life conditions, we are in for a very bizarre, but touching experience...and it's one you will never have again. The film is very emotional, and the takes seem to be done with expertise and care, flawless from any error that I could find. So check your reality at the front door, and let Gilliam take over everything that you are about to see and hear, because this is one mind blowing, amazing film. The direction that the film goes is...unpredictable, to say the least. For a good hour, it seems to focus mainly on the relationship between the child and Dickens, which is tender and sweet, in my opinion, some may want to see more sickening things into it, I myself do not. For example, the girl is seen giving a friendly kiss on the lips of Dickens several times, in each instance, she comments "silly kissers." Aside from doll heads, the viewer should understand...this is the only friend she has, and being completely robbed from her child hood by her own parents, its very difficult for her to think in linear way, despite her intelligence appearing to be quite high. I think this is a well made film from the 2000's, however, I'm not sure what to make of the ending...it seems to leave a few things unresolved, however, that could be the intention, leaving the viewer to their own imagination as to what is to come for the future of all. ( That's all I can say without spoiling anything important, the movie has to be seen to be believed.) A bit uneven, intelligently quirky, and something you will never forget, I give this 7 out of a possible 10 stars. Welcome to Tideland!

Two questions. Is this film any good? Easy! Yes it's a master piece!Will I enjoy it? This is much harder to answer.The plot and characters are strange, but unlike a lot of Gilliam work it is just fantastically implausible as appose to total fantasy. The story is simple and for the most part is just the main character, a young girl, playing. The girl in the movie is mesmerising! Which makes you feel a bit strange watching this in the first place. Add the scenes where the child experiences glimpses of adult life and the film becomes down right uncomfortable. The lack of progressive story line made the film feel a long watch (you don't feel like you are ever getting anywhere) but the direction of Ferland and her performance is something magical to behold.

Very strange movie, which I expected after reading about it.Still, praise whatever you believe in that most of existence is not so bizarre. Like some other reviewers, I need some processing time on this one.I'll watch it again, though. Maybe I'll get a little more in the loop, because I feel altogether outside of it right now after having watched "Tideland" for the first time. Also, no clue where the name came from.Interesting to see Jeff Bridges in such a creepy, scruffy role. Wow!We don't get to see much of Jennifer Tilly either, and I wouldn't have recognized her except for her distinctive voice. Very daring of her to appear with a protruding belly and unrestrained pendulous breasts in the very unglamorous scene sprawled on the bed. Sometimes this can be Oscar fodder; not so much here.Jodelle Ferland is astonishing in her role. I hope she had a lot of support during her performances, because no child should ever have to endure anything close to it in real life.I may well return to update this review, and will certainly return with a star rating. I just need to watch again and hopefully get my brain better wrapped around this extremely unsettling, but also engaging trip down the Rabbit Hole!

This movie moved, repulsed and disturbed me. As I watched I found myself cringe, recoil in horror, dread for Jeliza Roses's fate and saddened by all the pain, misery and confusion that that child was exposed to, with no one to care for her but egotistical adults and deranged madmen. In an emotional level I responded tremendously to the movie and although a good deal of these responses were less than agreeable, the fact that this film produced such stimuli in my person proves that it has heart to spare- a mean, bashing, horrific,depressing and sad heart it may be but a heart nonetheless. I can only suggest this film to brave movie buffs who are willing to subject themselves to the one of the most bizarre, terrifying and moving experiences of their life. My congratulations to Gilliam for directing yet another brave and stimulating film... even if it may very well become yet another obstacle in Gilliam's already endangered film career.