The Poetry of Waves: A Love Story Beyond the Surface
There’s something about the ocean that feels like a metaphor for life—unpredictable, vast, and capable of both crushing and uplifting us. In Waves, the animated film that opened Cannes’ Critics’ Week, doesn’t just use surfing as a backdrop; it weaves it into the very fabric of its narrative. But what makes this particularly fascinating is how the film transcends its premise. It’s not just about first love or the thrill of catching a wave; it’s about the fragile beauty of human connection in the face of life’s unrelenting tides.
A Love Story That Feels Both Familiar and Fresh
At its core, In Waves is a love story between AJ, an introverted skateboarder, and Kristen, a fearless surfer. On paper, it sounds like a trope—the shy boy meets the adventurous girl. But what many people don’t realize is how director Phuong Mai Nguyen and screenwriters Fanny Burdino and Samuel Doux elevate this narrative. The animation, with its sun-kissed watercolor palette, feels like a living painting, while the black-and-white sequences of a Hawaiian princess add layers of symbolism. Personally, I think this duality—color versus monochrome—mirrors the characters’ emotional journeys. Kristen’s vibrancy contrasts with AJ’s introspection, yet both are drawn to the ocean, a force that both separates and unites them.
Surfing as a Metaphor for Life’s Unpredictability
One thing that immediately stands out is how surfing isn’t just a hobby in this film—it’s a language. Kristen teaches AJ to surf, and through this, she teaches him about life. The ocean, with its waves, becomes a metaphor for the highs and lows of their relationship. What this really suggests is that love, like surfing, requires balance, patience, and the willingness to fall. The scenes where AJ struggles to catch a wave are more than just physical challenges; they’re moments of self-discovery. If you take a step back and think about it, the ocean’s unpredictability mirrors the unpredictability of life itself—something Kristen and AJ learn all too well when she faces a life-threatening illness.
Cultural Identity as a Subtle Undercurrent
A detail that I find especially interesting is how the film handles cultural identity. Kristen and AJ are Philippine American, but their heritage isn’t the focal point of the story. Instead, it’s woven into the narrative like the Tagalog phrases spoken by Kristen’s father or the historical references to Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing. This raises a deeper question: How do we carry our cultural roots into our everyday lives without them defining us entirely? The film answers this subtly, showing that identity is not a costume but a thread in the tapestry of who we are.
The Power of Silence and Sound
From my perspective, one of the most underrated aspects of In Waves is its use of sound. The whoosh of the surf, the scratch of markers on paper, the wind through palm fronds—these aren’t just background noises; they’re characters in their own right. The film’s sound design is so immersive that you can almost feel the ocean spray on your face. This attention to detail is what makes the film so poignant. It reminds us that life isn’t just about the big moments; it’s about the small, sensory experiences that shape us.
Love in the Face of Loss
What makes In Waves truly heart-wrenching is how it portrays love in the face of loss. Kristen’s illness isn’t just a plot point; it’s a test of their bond. The way the film handles this is both tender and unflinching. There’s a scene where AJ and Kristen lie to each other about monumental things, and it’s devastating because it’s so real. Love isn’t always honest, and sometimes it’s messy. But what this film suggests is that even in the mess, there’s beauty. The overhead shot of the four friends waiting for a wave on the sunset-pink Pacific is a quiet stunner—a moment of hard-won peace.
A Film That Stays With You
In my opinion, In Waves is one of those rare films that lingers long after the credits roll. It’s not just a story about love or surfing; it’s a meditation on life’s fragility and resilience. The full moon that illuminates one of the film’s most painful moments is a perfect metaphor for the film itself—beautiful, bittersweet, and deeply human. Personally, I think it’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there’s always a wave worth waiting for.
Final Thoughts
If you take a step back and think about it, In Waves is more than a film—it’s an experience. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to call someone you love, or maybe just sit by the ocean and listen to the waves. What this really suggests is that life, like the ocean, is both terrifying and beautiful. And sometimes, all we can do is ride the wave.
