Webster declares a "do-over" for life. With his adult years out of sorts, Webster returns to his childhood home, where he intends to recapture the magic of his youth while achieving a goal he never had the chance to comple... more »te; build and live in the ultimate tree house for an entire summer. Exhibiting characteristics of a Peter Pan Syndrome, Webster and his eccentric mission quickly attracts the curiosity of his neighbors who soon find themselves tackling their own emotional limbo, hovering between hope and disillusionment. Quirky and addictive The Sinking of Santa Isabel is a heartfelt journey about innocence, summer days and simpler dreams.« less
"We saw this film at the Cinequest Film Festival. We loved it!! It is a story of four, basically disfunctional, individuals. The four characters learn to love each other and themselves as they learn each of their secrets. It is a show that makes you laugh and cry and keeps you thinking about the characters long after the show is over."
Love It
A. Lincoln | Kaysville, UT | 04/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great movie. It is clean and very family friendly! I would recommend it to anyone."
Quirky Independent Film
Daniel G. Lebryk | 10/22/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A quirky, unpredictable, odd film that is enjoyable. The Sinking of Santa Isabel maintains the same non sequitur dialog throughout the film without becoming annoying.
It is an extremely difficult line to draw between being strange or unconventional, and trying to tell a story in a film. Most films that start out quirky and interesting then devolve by act 2 into standard melodrama. Not this film. Almost nothing happens in this film, four people meet and then they go swimming. Telling too much more about the film would remove the pleasure discovering the characters and story. The actors are not exactly great, there isn't a lot of emotion in their delivery. There are no major stars in the film. The photography is decent. The sound recording was very clear for dialog. But there was something hugely likeable about this film.
Four people that are basically outcasts, find each other at a tree house for the most unlikely reason. The film is about them getting to know each other. In the end, they do all go so swimming together. It's a magic moment at the end of the film.
The caveats about this film, it is low budget. Do not set your expectations super high, this is not a huge Hollywood production. The acting is not the best, but that is the charm of this film. By the end, I knew and loved these characters; I cared genuinely about what happened to them.
The film is not rated, probably because the producers just didn't want to spend the money with the MPAA. I do not remember any nudity, although we get to see whitie tighty mens underwear a few times. I do not remember any strong language at all. There is no violence, unless you want to count one person shooting another in the hip with a bee bee gun. This film would probably get a PG rating.
The film is short at an hour and 28 minutes.
I definately enjoyed this film. It's not great cinema. But it is certainly very good.
"
Sinking of Santa Isabel
B. Gyllenskog | Utah | 08/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This movie is fun for the whole family. I saw it last year at the Cinequest Film Festival and have been waiting for it to come out ever since! I'm always looking for new movies that I can watch with my kids because I get sick of all the regular cartoons that they want to watch all the time. So long Open Season. Hello Santa Isabel."
A fragile comedy.
Daniel Whitaker | USA | 08/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the vain of Wes Anderson, but with a voice all its own, The Sinking of Santa Isabel is a gem of an indie comedy. First time writers and directors Michael and Jacob Hamblin deliver a heartfelt "dramedy" with all you could want from a film. In this character driven piece you couldn't ask for anymore from the cast as they take you on an emotion filled journey. The four main characters, despite vast differences in sex, age, careers, etc., are all similar in the sense that they are looking for something more in life. Through each other and the ups and downs of their lives and relationships they are able to find it."