We Are Boats is a 2019 fantasy film where lives intertwine and connect when a woman navigates through the living world by encountering strangers at the exact moment she needs to.
When you die you come back and help people. It’s that simple. At least in myriad movies about the afterlife (and books and television shows and more). So it also is with writer/director James Bird‘s latest effort called We Are Boats, where once again we travel beyond our Earthly constraints as those in need get a little extra nudge in getting back on track from an unorthodox angel. It’s a small, earnest film with good intentions and a good cast, working hard to earn its way.
Francesca (Angela Sarafyan) is a beautiful and expensive prostitute trying to raise a young daughter. Naturally, it’s a risky job and sure enough, one night she meets a ‘John’ with a problem … and a gun. Finding herself in Heaven of sorts, she’s recruited by ‘Sir’ ( Uzo Aduba) to head back and intervene in the lives of those having some setbacks. However, her methods are a bit unconventional but she gets results, guiding people toward supportive fates, all the while learning more about herself and hoping to connect once again with the daughter she left behind.
While the premise is certainly familiar, Bird does take a few unexpected turns along the way as Francesca is both guardian angel and Grim Reaper, finding endings in different ways that bring conclusion to some and new beginnings for others. This starts with a young man (Jack Falahee) betrayed by his wife (Gaia Weiss), herself wrecked by the decisions she’s made. Then a sickly older man (Graham Greene) trying to right his wrongs and a family secret, and a homeless woman (Amanda Plummer) just trying to get through the day. And then Lucas (Luke Hemsworth), who is having cold feet about marrying his longtime girlfriend Ryan (Adriana Mather). Francesca is the singular thread that binds them all, each connected in small ways that eventually have consequences.
There’s not much given to the whole ‘other side’ thing, the film less about the fantastical visuals or flairs of such and more about the characters Francesca deals with, rightly giving ample time to their plights instead of putting all the weight on Sarafyan. This is a talky affair, the dialogue and action feeling more suited to a stage play with limited sets and not much physical momentum, though to be fair, it is well written and the cast (including a couple of names you should well recognize) plenty convincing. It does feel a bit lengthy with maybe a few too many people in the loop (Plummer is mostly a cameo) yet there’s not a weak story in the bunch as most are fleshed out enough to make it all matter.
We Are Boats is a small film, local and personal, wisely steering away from religion or commentary on faith in favor of delivering a more universal message about making the most of what you’ve got. And it works for what it intends with some genuinely good moments that many might feel some connectivity to, personally and emotionally. Recommended.