Waves: A Monochromatic Depiction Of A Very Grey Subject

Anant Mehra does it again. He picks a sensitive topic, neatly unfolds it for his audience and lets the story transverse through time, places and emotions. Set along an unknown shore, the rocks and the ebbing waves become the tempo for the film. Simran Jehani and Evan Brown who are cast as the lead pair bring to the screen a pulsating chemistry that makes the story both relatable and convincing.

That the monochromatic setting is a conscious choice is not lost on the viewer; however, what’s interesting is that for a subject that is layered in itself and undoubtedly falling into the category of a grey subject line, the film’s colour palette is an interesting choice to note. While the two characters guess, second-guess and counter one another, the audience is easily convinced of their fate. Such is the relatability of the dialogues, that they almost seem like something one might have heard, or better still, uttered themselves.

She plays an actor. Out on a shoot, her long-distance boyfriend remains close, but on-calls. Closer, however, remains another, a fellow crew member. A photographer, nonetheless. Brown brings mystery and elusiveness to his character. While Jehani brings charm. She is fun, irresistible even and tempting. It’s through her eyes, that we primarily see the relationship unfold and unbecome. There are lots of creative choices that Mehra has made with Waves that warrant multiple viewing and appreciation. But, the editing and cinematography takes the lead. The camera work (Devon Johns) adds a sense of sensuality to the setting that is almost tactile. The fluttering of the heartbeat, the nervousness accompanying a newly developed crush is well captured through the close-ups that are juxtaposed with the panoramic shots of the location.

Waves offers no answers. It’s a simple illustration of the fragility of relationships, the tenderness of new love, and the uncertainty of human character – all of which make life simply indescribable.