Writer-director Helen Walsh’s On The Sea is a tale of how a man finds himself adrift when feelings that had been submerged for years begin to bubble up to the surface.
Mussel farmer Jack (Barry Ward), in many ways, is like a barnacle that could be found on his fishing vessel. Stuck in this small town on the Welsh coast, he got married young, had a kid, runs the family business with his brother, and life is passing him by. It is enough to sustain him, but is it living?
Soon, Jack finds himself fighting against the tide as life throws wave after wave of uncertainty against him. Whether it is a rebellious son refusing to join the business, ever-increasing trips to the doctor, or the capsizing effect an enigmatic stranger has on his desires within a cold, judgmental town.
“Everyone has a choice. Either you live a lie, or you don’t”
Jack has repressed himself to the point that not only has it made him unhappy, but it has manifested physically. Barry Ward’s strong, internalised performance draws the audience in.
This story of a queer romance, set in a small, rural village, could easily draw comparisons with God’s Own Country. Given its links to the sea, is this perhaps Cod’s Own Country? The themes explored in the film are not groundbreaking; however, what makes Jack’s journey compelling to watch is the tenderness with which Walsh directs.
Set in a town that is more close-knit than the jumpers worn by the fishermen, Jack has never truly been able to be himself. This is evident in the monosyllabic, almost silent at times, courtship between himself and the excellent Lorne MacFayden’s younger, more brash and outspoken Daniel.
These two men’s hands are harsh and weatherworn from a life on the sea, but Walsh guides them together with the gentlest of touches. All leading to a raw, heartbreaking exploration of masculinity and the importance of being true to oneself.
On The Sea had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival
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Director: Helen Walsh
Stars: Barry Ward, Lorne MacFayden, Liz White, Henry Lawfull
Runtime: 115 minutes
Country: UK
