Director: David Wnendt

Starring: Carla Juri, Christoph Letkowski & Meret Becker

Running Time: 105 mins

Release date: 5 Sept, 2014 (US)

Worldwide Gross: $10,526,137

 

 

 

 

Basic Plot:

 

Helen is a child of divorce and a sexual explorer, who over the course of Wetlands we watch test the boundaries of grotesque, sexual depravity as she deals with old wounds that never really healed.

 

Clock Watching? 17/20

 

Wetlands is a tough film to categorize (coming of age-sex comedy-child of divorce character study-emotional & psychotic breakdown film?) as it has a bit of everything, but it never fails to engage as its protagonist, Helen, spins into a raunchy downward spiral of sexual debauchery.

 

If Wetlands is anything, it is engrossing. The film isn’t afraid to try and gross you out as Helen will try just about anything, in any aspect of her life. Not for the squeamish for sure, but the film also doesn’t get as gross as it’s reputation that was laid before me. The biggest complaint that you can levy against the film is that it starts to go all over the place as the film goes on, but you are supposed to be in Helen’s state of mind, which is all over the place as she spirals down. It might put off some, but this is also clearly Wnendt and the source materials' intention.

 

Oscar Performances? 17/20

 

Helen is played by Carla Juri and she throws everything into the role. Wnendt asks her to do gross and perverse acts almost every scene and you are with Juri at every turn. She also has the presence and energy to match Wnendt’s style, helping elevate the film’s tone to where it is trying to go. Meret Becker is the only other standout performance in the film, playing Helen’s mother, as she delivers a perplexing and unstable character that coalesces in the film’s final moments.

 

Lights, Camera, Direction? 18/20

 

From German director David Wnendt, Wetlands is the first film of his that I have seen, and I must say that I am intrigued to see more of his work. The film is a purely kinetic experience, full of momentum and has a distinct style.

 

Tell a Friend? 14/20

 

I am not sure how I would feel about recommending this to other people, what will they think of me? But if I think they could handle Wetlands I wouldn't hesitate.

 

Again? 10/20

 

The film is an exciting watch, but the grosser elements and dark underbelly of the film would make it a rather rough rewatch.

 

Total = 76%

 

Wetlands is a great director and actor showcase, but the film will certainly not work for everyone. If you aren’t feint of heart towards gross out humor & graphic sexual acts then you should definitely check this one out. Wnendt and Juri are going places.

 

 

by Zac Oldenburg