Waterproof (2000)

A mother flees to her hometown after her son gets into trouble.

Director:

Barry Berman

Writer:

Barry Berman

Stars:

Whitman Mayo, April Grace, Burt Reynolds

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Whitman Mayo	...	Sugar
April Grace	...	Tyree Battle
Burt Reynolds	...	Eli Zeal
Cordereau Dye	...	Thaniel Battle
Brandon Crawford	...	Gang Kid #1
Ja'net DuBois	...	Viola Battle
Orlando Jones	...	Natty Battle
Anthony Lee	...	'Brother Big' Battle
Lou Criscuolo	...	Garage Manager
Al Wiggins	...	D.C. Detective
Gil Johnson	...	Chris Hardwick
Leland L. Jones	...	Rev. Ferris Grouse (as Leland Jones)
Darrell Harlee	...	Church Piano Player
Joe Inscoe	...	Dr. Austin
Whitney Tucker	...	Tyree, 6 years old

Storyline

Eli Zeal is a bitter Jewish shopkeeper who is shot during a hold-up attempt by the 11-year-old son of a single mother in Washington, DC. Distraught and with nowhere else to turn, the boy's mother Tyree Battle kidnaps the wounded Zeal and along with her son, flees to her small hometown of Waterproof, Louisiana - and a family she hasn't seen in years. Thrust into the unfamiliar world of the deep south, Zeal finds himself surrounded by Tyree's brothers - one battling a severe brain injury, the other an angry alcoholic - her hundred year old grandfather and a mother of irrepressible faith. But, as they work to nurse Zeal back to health, dark shadows begin to emerge from the family's past - forcing them to confront a dreadful secret that has torn them apart.

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Plot Keywords:

family relationships | gunshot wound | church | christian | independent film | 

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Taglines:

Eli Zeal is about to learn that to err is human... and to forgive divine.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a scene of violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was completed in 1998 after 24 days of production, but was never released because it lacked a distributor. In July 2001, Cloud Ten Pictures snatched up the film rights.

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Quotes

Chris Hardwick: [Speaking to Eli Zeal] There's not many a man who would get shot and then come visit the family responsible.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits, there is a shot of Eli Zeal's Jewish store. On the front window is a sign that says "For Sale"

User Reviews

A gem of a movie

Burt Reynolds as an old Jewish man? Yes, it works. The movie is an inspirational tale of forgiveness and redemption, of faith and hope. For those who think of Burt as the Bandit, or in movies like Cannonball Run, then this movie will surprise you. It is a tale of Americana -- from the big Eastern cities to the rural south. It touches on racial prejudice and mistrust, and how we can overcome such things. It's about family -- the good and the bad of family -- and about not having a family. It's about faith and trust -- in God and in ourselves. And most of all, it's about the need to be forgiven -- and the need to forgive. Watch this with the whole family.

Details

Official Sites:

Cloud Ten pictures [Canada]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Waterproof

Filming Locations:

Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cape Fear Filmworks, Interstate 40 Feature Film Company, Lightmotive

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1