By Jae-Ha Kim
Amazon.com
May 8, 2008
A quirky independent film featuring some strong acting by an eclectic cast, Just Add Water captures the desolate spirit of a group of trailer park inhabitants who have little hope of ever escaping their mundane lives.
Ray (Dylan Walsh, Nip/Tuck) works as a parking-lot attendant who, like many of the town’s inhabitants, is at the mercy of the local babyfaced drug dealer Dirk (Will Rothhaar). Flush with money from his meth business, Dirk is now the town’s primary landlord and he takes a no-holds barred attitude when it comes to collecting rent from tenants who barely have enough money to survive.
Trapped in an apathetic marriage to the agoraphobic Charlene, Ray enjoys some normal moments with their teenage son Eddie (Jonah Hill, Superbad).
Father and son also share an experience neither would want to be reminded of when Ray tries to help Eddie lose his virginity, something Eddie clearly has issues with.
Directed and written by actor Hart Bochner, Just Add Water works as an intriguing dark comedy.
The casting is spot-on, with a nice appearance by Danny DeVito as an would-be oilman who could make life for these people just a little easier.
