Tideland Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A little girl with a drug addict dad moves to a dilapidated farmhouse, makes friends with some doll heads, and then everything goes completely bonkers…in a good way…maybe?

🍿 Tideland: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Jeliza-Rose’s World

The film introduces Jeliza-Rose, a young girl living with her drug-addicted parents in a dilapidated Los Angeles apartment. Her reality is blurred by her parents’ neglect and her own vivid imagination, where doll heads become her confidantes. Her father, Noah, a washed-up rocker, fills her head with fantastical stories while her mother, Queen Gunhilda, is a chain-smoking, chocolate-obsessed recluse.

The ‘Vacation’ Begins

Following her mother’s accidental overdose, Noah, fearing repercussions, takes Jeliza-Rose on a ‘vacation’ to his childhood home in rural Texas. The remote farmhouse, surrounded by vast wheat fields, becomes the new backdrop for their fractured existence. Noah’s addiction continues, and Jeliza-Rose is left increasingly to her own devices, further blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

Isolation and New Acquaintances

Noah eventually dies from an overdose, leaving Jeliza-Rose alone in the decaying farmhouse. Unaware of her father’s passing, she continues to play her imaginative games, her doll heads remaining her sole companions. She soon encounters Dell, an eccentric local taxidermist, and her mentally disabled brother, Dickens. This strange duo becomes Jeliza-Rose’s new surrogate family, further deepening her descent into a surreal world.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jeliza-Rose (Jodelle Ferland): An imaginative young girl who escapes her harsh reality through a rich fantasy world.
• Noah (Jeff Bridges): Jeliza-Rose’s drug-addicted father, whose irresponsible behavior leads to their isolation.
• Queen Gunhilda (Jennifer Tilly): Jeliza-Rose’s erratic and drug-addicted mother who dies early in the film.
• Dell (Janet McTeer): An eccentric taxidermist and neighbor who forms a strange bond with Jeliza-Rose.
• Dickens (Brendan Fletcher): Dell’s intellectually disabled brother who becomes Jeliza-Rose’s playmate and confidant.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Queen Gunhilda: “It’s your daddy’s fault you were the way you were, not mine. ‘Cause I loved you… lip smackin’ little junkie baby.” – Spoken by Jeliza-Rose’s mother in a drug-addled rant, revealing her own troubled past and projecting blame.
• Queen Gunhilda: “How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from my chocolate, you little bitch?” – Highlights the mother’s selfishness and neglect towards Jeliza-Rose.
• Queen Gunhilda: “Oh honey, I don’t want you to leave me, Jeliza Rose. I can’t get by without you, Jeliza Rose.” – Said in a moment of false sincerity before reverting to abuse, showcasing her manipulative nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $19,300,000
• Domestic Gross: $66,453
• Worldwide Gross: $566,611

💥 Tideland Reviews

Personal Review

Tideland is one of those movies that stays with you long after the credits roll. The film immerses you in Jeliza-Rose’s world, and the experience is both captivating and unsettling. I remember feeling a mix of emotions: sadness for her difficult circumstances, but also amazement at her ability to create joy amidst chaos. The scene where she’s preparing the heroin dose for her father is jarring, but is also a good example of the love and loyalty that she had for him. It’s a really unique and thought-provoking film.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Terry Gilliam’s unique directorial style”
  • “Viewers interested in dark fantasy and surrealism”
  • “Those who appreciate films that explore complex psychological themes”
  • “Adults who can stomach some disturbing themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Neglect”
  • “Death of parents”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Suggested sexual content”
  • “Mental illness”
  • “Potentially triggering content related to child abuse”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “Gilliam creates a world that is at turns poetic, disgusting, absurd, and darkly funny. A film that borrows liberally from Spirit of the Beehive, Alice in Wonderland, and Psycho. In many ways, this is the purest Gilliam film since Brazil. In the end, Tideland will likely please a select group who prefer to experience cinema rather than opposing it with their own expectations.
• Slash Film: “Without a doubt, this is Gilliam’s strongest vision since Brazil. The performances are definitely hard to swallow but hey, that’s our problem, not Gilliam’s. The ending will leave you shaken to the core. It’s surreal and true at the same time and it encapsulates the whole experience.
• IMDB: “Bizarre. Fantasmagorical. Frightening. A story-book nightmare. With the aid of her finger-puppet dolls’ heads Ferland essentially inhabits 5 different roles withing the film. Easily one of the creepiest but most interesting performance by a child in years.

Audience Reactions

Jodelle Ferland’s performance is captivating and heartbreaking.: Viewers commend the movie for its original story and great acting of the main star, describing it as an unforgettable film experience.

The film is unique and an unsettling journey into realms of the weird.: Viewers emphasize the beauty of the cinematography and the overall unique perspective on a dark subject.

Overall Consensus: Tideland is a deeply divisive but visually stunning film that explores a dark and surreal world through the eyes of a child. While some find it to be a masterpiece of imagination and emotional resilience, others are disturbed by its disturbing content and questionable themes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “To promote the film’s opening weekend, Terry Gilliam crashed the ticket line for The Daily Show, signing autographs and joking with fans while holding a sign that read, ‘Studio-less Film Maker, Family to Support, Will Direct for Food’.”
• “The film is an adaptation of Mitch Cullin’s novel of the same name. Terry Gilliam said he was drawn to the story because it explored the resilience of children in a world that often treats them as helpless victims.”
• “Filming took place in the Qu’Appelle River Valley, Saskatchewan, Canada, chosen for its desolate and surreal landscape which perfectly complemented the film’s atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tideland?

Tideland is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local streaming services for availability as it may vary by region. Physical copies are also available for purchase through major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tideland, you might like these similar films:

• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Both films explore a young girl’s escape into a fantastical world as a coping mechanism for dealing with the harsh realities of her life.
• The Reflecting Skin (1990): Shares a similar unsettling atmosphere and explores childhood innocence juxtaposed with disturbing elements in a rural setting.
• Alice (1988): Another Terry Gilliam film that delves into a dark and surreal adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, sharing his distinctive visual style and imaginative storytelling.
• What Maisie Knew (2012): Depicts a child navigating the complex and irresponsible relationships of her parents, though with a more grounded and less surreal approach.

🛒 Tideland Related Products

• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Leather-bound Classics): A beautiful, leather-bound edition of the classic novel that serves as a recurring theme in the film, igniting Jeliza-Rose’s imagination.
• Barbie Signature BMR1959 Doll (Fully Poseable Fashion Doll): Posable Barbie inspired by dolls that represent Jeliza-Rose’s companions.
• Wheat Field Photography Backdrop: Create a unique backdrop for photography reminiscent of the fields in Tideland.
• The Complete Terry Gilliam (Criterion Collection): A collection of Terry Gilliam’s best works.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tideland features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Van Gogh In Hollywood” – performed by Jeff Bridges
• “The Meadow” – performed by Mychael Danna
• “Squirrels” – performed by Mychael Danna

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

TIDELAND Intro – Terry Gilliam Speaks

Want to get inside Terry Gilliam’s head before diving into Tideland? This intro is short and sweet, but hearing him talk about the film beforehand really sets the stage. I found it fascinating to hear his perspective!

✨ Rate