Dances With Films Movie Review: ‘Moonwater’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Matthew Wayne Roberts as Peter in William Tyler Wiseman’s MOONWATER. (Photo Courtesy of Dances With Films.)

It is definitely safe to say, that addiction is showcased in a horrific light in popular media, and it makes sense as to why. Because it is at its core, destructive in nature. For addiction breaks down a person’s body and makes them a shell of themselves, where they can only function with their poison of choice flowing their veins. Plus, it does make people do some wild and terrible things. Hurtful things, even, that put fear into those they love, and their actions also offer up heartbreak. So, it stands to reason that creative minds would show the worst aspects of this affliction, in the hopes that people get help for their loved ones, if they are starting to abuse a substance or to keep people away from drugs and alcohol altogether.
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While that is of course, an impactful way to show us that drugs are a terrible choice and that addiction is scary in many ways, there are some real issues that accompany that particular portrayal of addiction. In that, it tends to demonize those who suffer from it, and transforms them into monsters, and while they might be monstrous when they are drunk or high… in between those moments they are a tortured soul, one deeply attached to booze, and heaven knows what for reasons we don’t understand. But we should. For addiction sometimes goes beyond the science of genetics and there is instead a psychological root cause at play that has broken this person and forced them to turn to substance abuse, and the sooner we explore that… the better. So, that we can get those folks the right help instead of shunning them.

If anything, the importance of discovering the root cause of an addiction is top of mind today, simply because a drama that screened at Dances With Films explored just that, and that makes Moonwater an important film. One that introduces us to a man named Pete, who is not in a good place. For Pete is an alcoholic and his life has fallen to pieces because of his drinking. To the point where has no one to talk to, for he’s even pushed his only brother away. So, he lives in his late father’s cabin, away from the city. Where he drinks his days away and waits for the end. That is, until he discovers something from his youth. Specifically, the still his father used to make moonshine long ago and seeing it and remembering what it meant to his dad inspires Pete to try and enlist his brother’s help in bringing it back to life for one last batch of moonshine, which he hopes… will somehow heal his soul.

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Which at first glance, appears to be a plot akin to Leaving Las Vegas. Wherein Pete will lie and cheat and do what he must to rebuild the still to give him all the booze he needs to drink his life away, in the literal sense. Something his brother Thomas accuses him of. But it goes deeper than that. In fact, it all relates to the root cause theme at hand. For we learn, through tender moments in this powerful drama, that the death of Pete’s dad, and his relationship with alcohol, are much to blame for Pete’s current state of affairs. For he has not reconciled his grief, and he sees alcohol as the only way to reclaim any memory or feeling of his father. So, he drinks to both numb the pain and feel something over what he’s lost and that makes for a powerful feature for certain.
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One that truly does showcase how people abuse substances, in this case alcohol, to cope and heal over emotions they cannot reconcile. Or to quell the power of old traumas or to regulate a mental health imbalance by fighting chemicals with chemicals. That means, they aren’t monsters to be feared, but broken individuals. Who are crying out in a strange way for help, for peace, and thankfully… this film tells us what we should do with such knowledge. In that, we should offer grace in that moment, and kindness, regardless of what’s happening. It doesn’t mean we have to forgive or let the past go, since that has weight and consequences to bear. But in that moment, giving them that, and helping guide them to what will heal them, will accomplish wonders and potentially save a life and give them a second chance. Granted, that’s not a guarantee, for one must want to change… but it does give them a fighting chance and sometimes… that’s all a shattered soul might need.  

All of which brings forth, a stunning motion picture. One that finally looks at addiction in an incredible manner. Since so few stories in this vein explore the cause of addiction, nor do they really look at the lasting impact of substance abuse. Since we are privy to moments where Thomas expresses what Pete’s drinking has done to the family, and we even see what impact it’s had upon his friendships and relationships. Which gives rise to a vastly different type of film about addiction, one that is both sorrowful and hopeful, and is refreshing in nature. Since it doesn’t close out with a fallen monster consumed by the substance that promised so much. It instead gives us an ending as close to real as possible, and it stays with you for a long time. For this tour de force of a story, really does prompt us to look at addiction in a vastly different light… one that projects an ounce of real hope.

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