Review of Don't Let Me Drown (2009) by Jenn T — 13 Jul 2010

This movie had its flaws but was overall really good. I liked that the story was original, it balanced funny with serious, and I think the characters seemed authentic.

It sort of bothered me that I felt like they just scouted the shittiest looking blocks in Brooklyn and shot them into a fictional shitty neighborhood that lacked the character that keeping to one neighborhood would have brought. The other issue was the socioeconomic aspect where the lead guy's family is supposed to be so poor that they need $200 more collectively, but he goes on a double-date to Coney Island (and everyone who lives in BK knows that every ride at CI costs $6...they went on at least 5...there is a big chunk of your rent $).

The actors were all really good. I question whether the lead guy was actually Mexican but hey, he was hot. The 9/11 aspect of the movie should have been further explored. I think there should have been more of a connection or a better way to show the pain the characters were feeling specifically about the event. A few of the characters expressed having traumatic experiences and flashbacks but I didn't really feel it was legit (as someone who actually had this issue. I mean, I physically couldn't eat for a week after 9/11 and the first time I tried, I threw it up.) Presumably this was supposed to take place in the weeks following 9/11 when the smoke was still billowing from lower Manhattan. I definitely identified with all the kids looking up when a fighter jet flew overhead.

The ending was sort of abrupt but I did feel emotion for the characters so I suppose it was a success.