A young woman lives, hidden in plain sight in a ruined Hong Kong building after a tsunami destroyed the city - a castaway on a concrete island. Her concealed existence is changed forever when a small child literally floats into her life.
"the Calm Beyond" crafts a compelling but ultimately underwhelming tale, of survival and personal growth.
The film takes place in the limited setting, of a largely flooded Hong Kong apartment block, after a apocalyptic tsunami, that wipes away life as the key character knew it.
The character, a young woman lives her life in survival mode, making her foot print on the world, as small as possible, to avoid detection by marauders, who infrequently raid the apartments by boat.
She lives with remembrances of her past life. Her hopes but more often than not, her regrets. We get to see this in flash backs.
It is in every sense a half life until a young girl arrives, bringing new hope for a more open, brave and ultimately, fulfilling future.
Its a worthwhile story, its intelligently written, reflecting the kinds of real world struggles people in this predicament might face and how they would reasonably, respond.
Where it falls down somewhat is the relationship between the two primary characters, always feels emotionally shallow. The deep bond we hope to see in the face of adversity, never really arrives.
The results a competent film, with quality performances and narrative but one that feels, dissatisfying.
In summary, a lot to like here that would have been that much better again, with more of an emphasis, on developing the emotional ties, between the woman and the child.Nonetheless, certainly worth a look.