I know, that's not what you expect from a film with this sort of
lineage- it's a direct descendant of The Best Years of Our Lives
and The Men... films dealing with men who are in the hospital
dealing with tragic circumstances. But this film is full of wonderful
surprises and performances. It features stellar performances from
Eric Stoltz and Helen Hunt (including a rather risque nude scene)
and Wesley Snipes and William Forsythe. As Emanuel Levy wrote
in his book Cinema of Outsiders (about the Independent film
movement) "The Waterdance is coherant, attentive to detail, and
unsentimental with a wicked down to earth humor- it' s at once
funny and sad, and the entire cast is impressive." I was
extraordinarily moved by this film, it's hard hitting yes, but also has
very tender moments and laugh out loud moments. A rare gem.