As a huge coming-of-age genre fan, I was sad to miss this one at SIFF last year. Luckily, I was finally able to watch it on Netflix! Sleeping Giant does not add a lot of new material to the genre, but it uses well-established conventions to create a film full of heart. The film thrive on the pure beauty of Lake Superior, with overwhelming cliffs and vast waterfronts. Director Andrew Cividino (We Ate the Children Last) uses the nature surrounding him to create metaphorical meaning for his storyline. Nature is a force that past filmmakers have used throughout the existence of cinema and Cividino stands out with his use of nature. The audience can enjoy this throughout the whole film, which is full of establishing shots in jaw-dropping settings.
The cast is well-picked with three believable teens who are struggling with where they stand in life. Jackson Martin (Before We Fall), Nick Serino , and Reece Moffett play off of each other realistically and entertainingly. Martin plays a sheltered teen who is finally realizing the world around him. Serino and Moffett both play stereotypically rebellious teens who only desire to cause a ruckus. All three of the characters are grandly developed as the story rolls along, leaving their past selves behind and forming new characters. There is a connection between all three of the characters that is natural and filled with emotion.
The Bottom Line: This film is a nice addition to the already well-established coming-of-age genre. It may not be wholly original, but it's fun nonetheless.
Score: 8/10
Image credit: By USFWSmidwest - Boat on Lake Superior, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44776730
The cast is well-picked with three believable teens who are struggling with where they stand in life. Jackson Martin (Before We Fall), Nick Serino , and Reece Moffett play off of each other realistically and entertainingly. Martin plays a sheltered teen who is finally realizing the world around him. Serino and Moffett both play stereotypically rebellious teens who only desire to cause a ruckus. All three of the characters are grandly developed as the story rolls along, leaving their past selves behind and forming new characters. There is a connection between all three of the characters that is natural and filled with emotion.
The Bottom Line: This film is a nice addition to the already well-established coming-of-age genre. It may not be wholly original, but it's fun nonetheless.
Score: 8/10
Image credit: By USFWSmidwest - Boat on Lake Superior, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44776730
