Written and directed by Lindsey Ryan, Nicole’s discovery of an eviction notice shatters her family’s houseboat vacation, forcing them to confront their patriarch’s troubles, lost homes, and fractured identities through a turbulent journey of self-discovery and redemption. Starring: Sarah Catherine Hook, Rhys Ifans, Lily Rabe, Griffin Gluck, Eli D Goss, Ada Bland, Joan Stein and Bryant Carroll.
The style which Lindsey Ryan creates for Capsized, alongside cinematographer Joe Anderson, has a nostalgic, charming, old-school quality. It throws back to a lot of familiar family film in a lovely way, crafting something which can be wholesome and have some fun, but also hold onto sincerity and not lose its way into cheesy or easy territory. There’s a nice edge of foreshadowing in the atmosphere, you know this family’s never going to get an easy ride which helps keep you glued in to find out what else can possibly go wrong. There’s also a strong awkwardness that goes along with that, which was a great choice on the part of Ryan to make things feel more real and a little uncomfortable, rather than simply smooth sailing.
Within Capsized is that classic underdog persona, mixed with having a parent who is part dreamer but all screw-up, sparking big highs and big lows. The story captures that struggle of growing up in a family without consistency and reliability, having to always scramble and hustle. It works well and it moves with a great pace, despite the chaos of the family, it’s never rushing, and it always has something new to add. It also doesn’t try to resolve itself in a grand fashion, Ryan keeps a note of realism, which is a refreshing change of pace.
In order for all of that to then work, you have to have a cast who can embody all of that charming messiness, and this group certainly don’t disappoint. Rhys Ifans effortlessly creates a father-figure who is selfish, greedy and has unrealistic expectations which will always end up putting his family in a tough spot. He manages to make Ray not unlikable but not too likable, so you can enjoy the performance while recognising the red flags of Ray’s behaviour. Lily Rabe is also excellent as the matriarch Diane, she has a great mix of strength and vulnerability, exasperation and love for her family.
Sarah Catherine Hook gives us the classic teen, sarcastic and refusing to turn a blind eye to her father’s antics, fed up of his flaws. She creates a centre ground for Capsized, the story holds her perspective and yet always feels like an ensemble piece. With Griffin Gluck, Eli D Goss, Ada Bland and Joan Stein filling out the family, they all have endearing personalities and a great sibling dynamic, with that classic mix of love and hate.
Capsized is charming and nostalgic, it holds sincere emotion but also has the quality of a chaotic road trip. The family that they’ve put together with Sarah Catherine Hook, Rhys Ifans, Lily Rabe, Griffin Gluck, Eli D Goss, Ada Bland and Joan Stein is so effortless to watch. They capture the desperation, the hope, the frustration, the tiredness, everything that they’re going through so well, it never feels performative or formulaic. It’s also shot really well, the texture to the aesthetic taps into that by-the-water, summer setting perfectly. It’s not necessarily easy watching, there’s some difficult moments in there, but there is something comforting about it and it’s a great debut feature from Lindsey Ryan.
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