Synopsis
Float is a romantic drama film released in Canada in 2023. It explores the lingering vestiges of love alongside the themes of cultural identity and self-discovery. Waverly Liu is a Taiwanese-Canadian woman who is a high achiever and is constantly under pressure. She is a woman burdened with expectations whose life seems to be perfectly “planned” but is not necessarily her own. She is emblemed with an acceptance to medical school, the burden of family expectations, and a life to be led in a disciplined and stable manner. But, in reality, Waverly is unravelling and is deeply suffocating.
After an impulsive moment of emotional clarity, Waverly decides to break her routine and heads off to the small coastal town of Holden which is home to her free-spirited Aunt Rachel. This change of scenery not only offers her a physical change, but also gives her a break on a deeper spiritual level: a chance to rethink who she is and what she hopes to achieve in life.
During a recent visit to a beach, Waverly has an embarrassing moment that reveals a surprising fact about her: she cannot swim. This moment is salvaged when Blake, a handsome local lifeguard and neighbor, comes to her rescue. Their interaction, while a bit embarrassing, helps to foster a connection despite Waverly’s initial apprehension. What starts as swim lessons develops into a transformative and intimate journey. With each lesson, Waverly learns to float—and in the process unwind the fear alongside the rigidity that has defined her life.
Eventually, all good things must come to and end. With summer winding down and real life waiting back home, she has to confront: Can the freedom and love discovered during the long summer days, withstand the test of time?
Cast & Crew
Main Cast
Andrea Bang as Waverly Liu: Waverly is portrayed in a nuanced and authentic way by Andrea that conveys her inner struggle. Capturing the transformation of her character from rigidity to openness, no matter how subtle, is inspiring.
Robbie Amell as Blake: Amell plays Blake, a local lifeguard, with a sensitive side and brings grounded charm and a vulnerable past to the role. Blake is both a romantic interest and a mirror for Waverly’s emotional growth.
Michelle Krusiec as Aunt Rachel: Aunt Rachel is unique among her peers as she embodies a blend of warmth and eccentricity and is the emotional anchor of the tight-knit community. She provides the story with a unique insight on the concepts of originality and being one’s true self.
Supporting Cast
The ambience of Holden, a town that possesses a serene and gentle cadence of acceptance and quiet instruction, is populated by the secondary characters played by Sarah Desjardins, Andrew Bachelor, Rukiya Bernard, and others.
Director
The film’s emotional warmth is a hallmark of the film’s director, Sherren Lee. Lee is patient and gives the characters time and space to breathe. She prioritizes the characters’ internal worlds over external conflicts. The love story, though grounded, is infused with authentic emotions that lend the story depth and earnestness.
Writers
Together with Jesse LaVercombe, Sherren Lee wrote the film’s screenplay, which is based on a well-known novel on Wattpad. The screenplay’s premise smartly differs from its source material in several ways to create a more realistic blend of rich culture, particularly in terms of its main character to which Lee— a Taiwanese Canadian—shaped her own identity.
Themes and Tone
Float displays a culmination of tender glances, subtle emotional revelations, and serene, quiet emotional revelations. Rather than racing through the plot, it opts to develop the trust and bond that the characters share as to the other. The central metaphor is the ocean, vast and calming: it can also be turbulent like Waverly’s emotional journey.
Major Themes:
Freedom vs. Obligation: Waverly’s life is a consequence of her parents’ sacrifices and expectations. She walks the line between honoring her roots and completely losing herself to them.
Identity and Cultural Expectations: As a daughter of immigrants, Waverly carries the silent pressure of the ‘ideal child. The film addresses this and preaches, while exploring this emotional reality.
Healing and Trust: Blake is emotionally wounded himself. Their shared bond teaches them that love does not require perfection. It embraces trust when it is blind.
The film’s visuals present soft summer colors, reinforcing the romantic undertones while the reflective tone captures the essence of young love. A nostalgic quality surfaces with the scenes of the beach town, walks under the moon, and bonfire evenings.
Cinematic Elements
Cinematography: The cinematography showcases Holden’s coastal views with soft natural light. It captures emotional intimacy with close-ups and warm hues, providing a multi-dimensional sensory escape.
Sound and Music: The score, while subtle, deeply resonates with the film’s pacing and introspective mood. Music serves to deepen the emotional texture rather than enhance drama.
Pacing and Editing: Float moves at a deliberate pace, yet every scene is deliberate. Conversations are unhurried, silence often bears equal weight to dialogue.
Reception and Critique
Strengths:
Andrea Bang’s Performance: Bang excels in the duality of a woman balancing duty and desire. Her performance embodies and expresses a nuanced layer of fear and hope.
Chemistry Between the Leads: The developing romance between Waverly and Blake is natural. Their interactions—particularly in the context of swim lessons—are gentle and credible.
Cultural Representation: The film avoids stereotypes and instead focuses on providing a nuanced and respectful depiction of the second-generation immigrant experience.
Weaknesses:
Some critics might consider the film’s pacing a weakness, a lack of drama may lead to a sense of stagnation.
The resolution may lack a sense of realism, particularly for a story grounded in real-world dynamics.
Regardless, the film’s emotional sincerity and gentle feelings is what distinguishes it in the eyes of many viewers.
Conclusion
Float is a romantic drama, but it does more than tell a summer love story—it meditatively explores self-discovery, emotional healing, and cultural identity. This film knows the burden of expectations, the joy of release, and the beauty of connection cultivated slowly and over time.
Float opts for warmth rather than emotional fireworks. It is perfect for anyone who has ever been told how to live their life and who has ever found refreshing clarity in love, sunlight, and the open sea.
Ultimately, Float is not just about falling in love. It is about learning to trust and to loosen the grip of control, and for a time enough to rediscover oneself again.
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