source: Aquarians

Overall, I very much enjoyed this movie. It is a character study and so it will move slowly for some people. The mood of the movie is well placed with the dreary, snowbound hometown. I felt that the main characters were well played by two talented actors. I think that Chandler Massey and Shane Coffey both gave strong performances, and the other actors also gave very good performances, especially Tracey Fairaway in a pivotal role. In terms of the narrative, the story might have been stronger with a bit more depth on the impact the family tragedy had on the brothers. Both Massey and Coffey did a great job facing-off against each other and I think some more insight into that angst might have made the climactic showdown more intense. Additionally, as Daniel struggles with his commitment, some additional scenes highlighting that might have made a stronger story. However, I understand the limits on the story narrative that are sometimes necessary in a movie. As a Catholic, I understand why one or two scenes could be perceived as anti-Catholic. However, the overall story arc allows for other honest interpretations. On the whole, I appreciated the movie and it not being "Hollywood" cookie-cutter. Independent films such as this one help movie viewers to see great new talent and a different telling of a story. I will look for Chandler Massey and Shane Coffey in other movies to come.

Do not be swayed by the positive reviews, I'd bet good money they're written by the filmmakers themselves and their friends and family members. Nothing about this film is original. The plot is one which has been used countless times - man, or woman, returns home after years away, reconnects with family members and or/friends which causes problems and threatens the new life he or she has chosen and in due course they are forced to face up to events and or issues they have been avoiding. Using a well used plot wouldn't be a problem if writer/director Michael McGuire had something new or insightful to bring to the table but sadly he does not. Everything, from the middle American frozen small town setting, to protagonist Daniel's journey is broadly signposted and predictable. Daniel who is training to become a priest is in town to stand in for the incumbent father who is ill with cancer. Two seconds after his arrival we learn his brother, Jake from whom he is estranged, also lives in town and that there is a third brother who turns out to have died young. Predictably, Jake is a wastrel who sells weed, drinks, swears profusely and doesn't believe in God. Daniel is forced to make contact with Jake by parishioners who can't trust a priest who would turn his back on his family. Of course it's not long before Daniel is smoking weed, being arrested for driving without a license, attending wild parties and lusting after a local girl while being egged on by Jacob who accuses him of hiding behind the priesthood rather than facing up his feelings of guilt about their brother Chris' death. This of course horrifies the parishioners leaving Daniel's future as a priest in question. Chandler Massey who plays Daniel and Shane Coffey who plays Jake try their best but are given very little to play with. The dialogue is painfully clunky, particularly Daniel's attempts to explain his faith and vocation and Jake's summations as to why Daniel decided to become a priest and director Michael McGuire fails miserably when it comes to making us care if Daniel and Jake will make up, if Jake gets his life together or if Daniel faces up to his feelings of guilt and is honest with himself about who he is and what he really wants out of life.

Aquarians is a legitimately well made independent film. I gave it a shot due to its quality film festival pedigree and I was rewarded with its honest filmmaking. The story centers on two brothers in a snowy Wisconsin town. These brothers appear to have gone in opposite directions in their lives -- one is about to become a priest and the other is a recluse who sells pot. Aquarians reunites these brothers and we witness them grapple with their differences, their futures, as well as come to terms with past tragedy. For me, the film was worth watching just for the pretty snowy midwestern landscapes, but the story and its deft handling are why we watch little indie finds like this. Give Aquarians a watch.

While the overall story line may be compelling and have it's value, I really don't understand why these movies ALWAYS portray the Catholic church in such a bad light AND don't even take the time to have some authenticity in what they portray. DEACONS CANNOT SAY MASS, only a priest can do that. Something any idiot could figure out if they just bothered to ask.

Lovely and thoughtful film that explores grief and guilt. The story is about two brothers each handling a family tragedy in different ways. A moving film with unexpected humor throughout, great performances, beautiful cinematography and music. Definitely worth watching!

This movie is not exceptionally bad from the point of musical maintenance and visual composition. In general sense plot is also good enough, but it overfilled with boring moments not capturing attention, so it is somehow hard to continue watching after first few minutes. I would not recommend this movie for the sake of better ones.

A thoughtful, compelling drama that is strongly directed, insightfully written, and well cast. AQUARIANS is an enriching, personal narrative that deeply encourages personal reflection. I wholeheartedly recommend!

The wonderfully understated "Aquarians" evokes tragedy to pave its difficult road to redemptive familial reconciliation, and deftly leverages faith as the prevailing connective tissue between its expertly conceived storytelling elements. "Aquarians" has a resounding Wisconsinness to it; a beautifully icy tonality and a chilly serenity very intentionally put into play to provide the deceptive impression of plainness. Yet this film is anything but plain, as its initial use of atmospherics belies its masterfully intricate nuances in character construction. Daniel (Chandler Massey) is the proverbial good son, returning home as deacon of his long-standing family church. Jacob (Shane Coffey) is Daniel's visceral counterpoint; a self-imposed isolationist buried deep in the rural wilds. Their disparate makeups put them at odds, yet a consuming shared tragedy tears at the foundations of both. Inevitably, its residual impacts draw them nearer to a center point: Danny slowly veers towards Jake's darker influences, indulging behaviors presumably not endorsed in the instruction booklet provided to seminary students. Paradoxically, Jake is forced the other way, retreating within to address his own torments until his outer shell cracks, leading to a deeper reconnection with his brother. In "Aquarians," both men offer a redemptive pathway for the other, and the resulting opportunity to chart forward-looking paths. Apparent simplicity begets intensive complexity throughout "Aquarians," as the film demonstrates an ancient patience in coaxing its deep meanings to slowly pour forth. Its two male leads are exemplary, each offering a complexity of truth we're far too sporadically shown in cinema. Despite our ages-old familiarity with stories expounding forgiveness and faith, "Aquarians" somehow presents as newly ripe for our times. This is a resoundingly honest film, and with a consuming authenticity felt to the bones. - Was this review of use to you? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!

More films like this one would get me off the couch and back to the cinema. Lovely acting set in a community that feels so very real (if not a wee bit romanticized.) There is an element of subdued magic realism in the film that finally blossoms into something like faith. All adults will gain something by watching this film.