I can understand if this plot summary sounds a little boring, but it’s what’s going on under the surface of High Tide that makes it interesting. It asks a lot of questions about personal and professional boundaries, sexuality, and, most importantly, class divisions. Why is Laura so freaked out by the workers using her bathroom, and why is it such an act of defiance for them to do so? Why is there such a vast social separation between the wealthy, the middle class, and the poor? Why do men think they have a right to walk all over women, especially once said women are deemed to be sluts? High Tide is a loaded gun aimed at the status quo, hoping to shoot a hole through it.
The script, written by Victoria Chen, is what makes this film. If one thing were off about it, the film would verge into pedantic or exceptionally dull territory. High Tide, instead, is by turns suspenseful, enraging, and hilarious. It shows Western society precisely who it is in a not so flattering way. It will make you rethink all the choices you make when talking to practically anyone, particularly the people at the bottom of the financial ladder.
“…asks a lot of questions about personal and professional boundaries, sexuality, and, most importantly, class divisions.”
The character of Laura is both protagonist and antagonist, but then again, almost everyone except for Ana (Mariana Chaud), is a bit of a villain in this film. I won’t and really can’t tell you about the ending because it by far makes the entire movie and will hit you like a ton of bricks with is audacity and the complete blase attitude about the events that are taking place.
Overall, I am a big fan of High Tide. It’s a small movie that packs a big punch and will make you rethink almost everything about society. I’m very excited to see how the film does outside of the festival circuit and hope it doesn’t take too long to get a stateside release, because there are a whole lot of Americans that need to see this, in hopes that they will check themselves afterward.
High Tide screened at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. and the 2020 Method Fest.
"…Laura is both protagonist and antagonist..."
Nice