Watch Tideland

Tideland is a haunting and surreal drama film that was released in 2005. The movie is directed by Terry Gilliam and stars Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Tilly, and Jodelle Ferland. It tells the story of a young girl named Jeliza-Rose who escapes her troubled life in the city and finds solace in the rural countryside. However, her journey is far from ordinary as she experiences a world of fantasy and imagination that is both beautiful and terrifying.

The film is set in an isolated Texas farmhouse where Jeliza-Rose (played by Jodelle Ferland) lives with her drug-addicted parents. Her mother, Queen Gunhilda (played by Jennifer Tilly), is a former rock star who spends her days in a drug-induced haze, while her father, Noah (played by Jeff Bridges), is a disillusioned musician who is also addicted to drugs. When her mother overdoses and dies, Jeliza-Rose is left alone with her father who takes her to his mother's abandoned house in the countryside.

The house is a decrepit and eerie place that is infested with insects and rodents, but Jeliza-Rose finds comfort in exploring the surrounding fields and woods. She meets a mentally disabled man named Dickens (played by Brendan Fletcher) who lives in a nearby abandoned house and becomes her friend. Together, they embark on a surreal and imaginative journey that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.

As Jeliza-Rose escapes into her imagination, she creates a world where her dolls come to life and her deceased mother speaks to her from the afterlife. However, her fantasy world is also filled with dark and ominous elements that threaten her safety. She encounters a mysterious woman named Dell (played by Janet McTeer) who lives in a nearby shack and may be a danger to her.

Tideland is a visually stunning film that evokes both wonder and fear. The movie is shot in a dreamlike style that accentuates the fantastical elements of the story. The use of close-ups and slow-motion shots creates a sense of intimacy with the characters and the world they inhabit. Meanwhile, the eerie and atmospheric soundtrack adds to the sense of foreboding that permeates the film.

The performances in Tideland are exceptional, particularly that of Jodelle Ferland who portrays Jeliza-Rose with a perfect balance of innocence and strength. She navigates the surreal world of the film with ease and brings a sense of authenticity to her role. Jeff Bridges delivers a nuanced performance as Noah, conveying the pain and guilt of a man who has lost himself to addiction. Jennifer Tilly's fleeting appearances as Jeliza-Rose's deceased mother are haunting and poignant.

In conclusion, Tideland is a unique and thought-provoking film that is not for everyone. The movie's weirdness and darkness may put off some viewers, but those who are open to its surreal and imaginative nature will find a compelling story that is both poignant and terrifying. The film is a testament to Terry Gilliam's visionary style and his ability to create a world that is both beautiful and disturbing.

Tideland is a 2005 fantasy movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 26.