Watermark 2013

Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal: Here's a case of images in the service of important ideas, rather than entertainment, yet they could hardly be more powerful, from roaring torrents released by a dam in China to a lyrical helicopter shot of a glistening river in British Columbia. Read more

John Hartl, Seattle Times: They've found a way of serving up these images without seeming callous or exploitative or preachy. Read more

Peter Debruge, Variety: A Canadian photographer dedicated to chronicling how man affects the environment turns his attention from land to water with mesmerizing results. Read more

Nick Schager, AV Club: Unfortunately, while the documentary's points are clear, its desire to articulate them primarily through contrasts neuters some of its persuasiveness. Read more

Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic: Although the visuals are spectacular - a barren Colorado River looks like a landscape from a science-fiction epic - there's not much else here to grab on. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: These exceptionally gifted filmmakers are simply best at the long view of the human species and its impact. Read more

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: As in Manufactured Landscapes, the long shots of natural and man-made environments have a patterned, abstract beauty that often chafes against the ugly truth on the ground. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: It's the majesty and beauty of water at its most pure that stays with us longest. Read more

Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times: Always arresting and sometimes troubling, "Watermark" - aside from the odd comment here and there - neither lectures nor argues. Read more

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle: It relies heavily on visuals and offers minimal context. The project has a pro-environment feeling, which comes across implicitly, not through browbeating or preaching. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: At 92 minutes, the production is stately, unhurried yet crisply focused, never overstaying its welcome. Read more

Peter Howell, Toronto Star: It's meant to inspire us to think about our relationship with water and how we use it, and in this it succeeds admirably. Read more

Chuck Wilson, Village Voice: Watermark is a documentary filled with images both beautiful and wrenching, yet the film as a whole is a disappointment. Read more

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: It's as if the movie's many pieces are supposed to be like impressionistic brush strokes. When seen together, the result is pretty to look at. But it's not as meaningful as it should be. Read more