"Undertow" is a drama about a feud between a hardworking father with two sons and his brother which boils over and sends the boys on the run. This well staged and directed film languishes between the few dramatic moments which constitute its meager story and squanders its time on the mundane melancholy of the hardworking bereaved backwoods Georgia family. The downside of "Undertow" is a story which is so ordinary, as films go, it could have been clipped from any daily newspaper. The upside is its ability to delve deep into the character's psyches, evince emotion, and conjure a strong sense of empathy. With good critical reviews and good marks from the public, this down home drama should play well as a DVD watch for those who appreciate the telling more than the story. (B)
