Watch It's In The Water

It's In The Water is a heartwarming and humorous film about the residents of Azalea Springs, a small town in Texas, and their reactions to the realization that many of their neighbors are gay. The movie opens with Alex (Keri Jo Chapman) and her best friend Grace (Teresa Garrett) attending a party thrown by their friends. It is here that Alex begins to suspect that she might be a lesbian, and her initial confusion and denial is explored throughout the rest of the film.

Meanwhile, the town is becoming increasingly aware that there is a higher than normal percentage of gay residents. Many of the straight residents are accepting, but some are hostile, and the tension between the two communities drives much of the conflict in the film.

The various storylines are woven together skillfully, with standout performances from Chapman and Garrett. The two women have a believable chemistry as best friends, and their emotional journeys provide the heart of the film. The supporting cast is also strong, with Derrick Sanders delivering a standout performance as a gay man struggling with his conservative family's lack of acceptance.

One of the notable things about It's In The Water is how it balances the more serious topics with humor. The film is genuinely funny, with many laugh-out-loud moments, but never at the expense of the characters or the issues they are facing. The humor helps to make the film accessible and relatable, even to those who might not have direct experience with the topics it explores.

The film also incorporates elements of magical realism, with a local legend about the town's water supply being responsible for causing people to become gay. While this might seem out of place in a film dealing with serious issues, it actually works quite well, adding an extra layer of whimsy and metaphor to the story. It also allows the film to explore the idea that some people are simply born gay, and that there is nothing wrong with that.

It's In The Water was released in 1997, at a time when gay representation in mainstream media was still quite rare. While it might not seem groundbreaking now, it was an important film at the time, and it still holds up today. It portrays LGBTQ+ characters as real people, with emotions and desires and struggles that anyone can relate to. It also shows straight people struggling to come to terms with their own prejudices and biases, and how they can learn to be more accepting and open-minded.

Overall, It's In The Water is a charming and uplifting film that manages to tackle serious topics with humor and heart. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to help people connect and understand each other, and it's well worth watching for anyone looking for a feel-good movie with a message.