Review of Trouble the Water (2008) by Andrew T — 07 Jan 2009

Back in 2005, Hurricane Katrina changed the face of a city, as well as the lives of those that inhabited the home of jazz. With the warnings causing many to flee the city, those that couldnâ??t afford to leave remained.

Kimberly and Scott Roberts were one such couple that remained in New Orleans, with a camcorder with enough battery power to capture the rising water levels and winds, as they were trapped in their attic, like many others in their neighbourhood.

Keeping the cameras running for the aftermath, the pair return to their home; their lives changed, reflecting on how America forgot those left behind. Initially, Kimberlyâ??s erratic handling of a camera and strong New Orleans drawl make the film quite nauseating to watch, but gradually the camera stills and Kimberly develops a certain charm, with her humour in the face of adversity admirable.

The editing of Tia Lessin and Carl Deal never becomes too political nor sentimental, focusing more on the lives of those affected by the hurricane and how they came out of it with both tears of joy and sorrow.

A well-placed score create some impressive pieces of cinema, as their lives begin to calm from the troubled waters.