The film deserves to be singled out on three scores, I think. First, it’s bold enough to portray spiritual disappointment in a fashion that compares favorably to seminal entertainments like Robbie Benson’s stunning turn in Death Be Not Proud. Second, I think I’ve rarely seen an inspirational film that’s designed to be more therapeutic for those left behind than those who’ve survived. And third—I’ve gotta say that this is a pretty remarkable directorial achievement for young Bradley Dorsey, who can’t be much older than 24. He knows what he’s doing with a camera, and with actors. PureFlix did the right thing in picking this low-budget indie up for distribution. I haven’t been so thrilled with some of their latest acquisitions, but this one is real find.

As the film thoughtfully and gently winds it way through explorations of mistakes and outright failures, Haverstick’s writing and direction manages a stirring and open-ended optimism for those whose lives seem headed onto the shoals, integrating a lush, pastel natural palette with the harsh realities of domestic life. And it’s all beautiful. This is a delightful, nearly-perfect film for a thoughtful evening at home, a cathartic exorcising of domestic demons, a bonding experience for mothers and daughters, and a way for women to process their illnesses. I can’t recommend this film—for its target audience, and somewhat beyond—heartily enough.

Just how exciting can a documentary about eleven college kids on a boat sailing across the Pacific to Hawaii be? Roy E. Disney and Leslie DeMeuse, themselves seasoned veterans of the Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu, Hawaii, conceived the idea of recruiting a crew of relative greenhorns and letting them man a rather expensive (!) custom-designed racing yacht over 11 days and 2225 miles… all by themselves. Why? As one of the crew tells us, “This is going to be my first story… an epic story.” Or “a big flop.” Well, if you find your attention wandering a little in the early going of this film, stick with it! The film is no flop. It’s a winner.