Movies

‘The Waterfront’: Where crime and dysfunction are a family affair

BBG News

Kevin Williamson, known for creating shows such as teen romantic drama (“Dawson’s Creek”), meta slasher horror (“Scream”), and teen supernatural gothic (“The Vampire Diaries”), has entered the world of crime-ridden families with his new series “The Waterfront“, debuting on Netflix this Thursday. Similar to “Dawson’s Creek” in its North Carolina setting, it’s a soap opera that also deals with drug trafficking.

Greetings to Havenport! Unlike the notorious Corleone clan, the Buckleys have a more complex history. While they maintain a legitimate business with fishing boats and an upscale eatery, their ancestral ties reach into the underworld. The patriarch, Grandpa (who has passed away), had a penchant for mischief, while his son Harlan (Holt McCallany) reminisces about the glamorous era of drug trading, where people dressed elegantly and were courteous. However, Harlan seems to have distanced himself from family matters following a few heart attacks, preferring alcohol and infidelity over loyalty to his devoted wife, Belle (Maria Bello).

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In the Netflix series by Kevin Williamson, the primary characters are an ensemble of adults from multiple generations. Their lives exhibit a more polished and raw texture compared to what viewers might recall from the original ‘Dawson’s Creek’ group.

As a devoted cinema lover, I’ve found myself immersed in a captivating narrative where the characters, the Buckleys of Havenport, are struggling to maintain their respectable identity amidst financial turmoil. To keep their businesses and preserve their standing, Belle and her son Cane (Jake Weary), once a disillusioned high school star, have been covertly supplying boats to reckless drug smugglers.

Unbeknownst to Harlan, this secret operation is causing them to tread dangerous waters. When things take an unexpected turn for the worse, they find themselves deeper entangled in the underworld – Cane, unwillingly, and Harlan, with a strange eagerness that borders on enthusiasm. This renewed involvement stirs something within Harlan; it makes him feel alive again and provides him with a new target to exert his authority over – Cane. He justifies his bullying as a means to toughen up his son, but deep down, he’s essentially a bully, a dominating figure who lacks depth and complexity.

In Miami, Cane once got the opportunity to play college football, but his father’s actions eroded his self-belief; he’s yet to regain that confidence.

He tells Jenna, who’s back in town unexpectedly and causing him emotional turmoil despite his happy family life with wife Peyton and daughter, “I’m almost perfect at being good, Jenna (Humberly González). I’m nearly a decent man. I’m almost a good husband, father, son. But just not quite there yet, you understand.” (Jenna is a journalist based in Atlanta, and Cade praises her writing skills, saying, “I’ve read some of your articles online. You’re a great writer!”)

Maria Bello stars as Belle Buckley in “The Waterfront.” (Dana Hawley/Netflix)

Holt McCallany plays patriarch Harlan Buckley. (Dana Hawley/Netflix)

Bree Buckley, the younger sister and now an adult, is not involved in any criminal activities at present. However, it’s important to note that she once set fire to her family’s house. Currently, she can only visit her rebellious teenage son, Diller (played by Brady Hepner), under court supervision due to this past incident. Diller has no desire to see his mother given the house burning incident. Manners aside, he still resents her actions. Bree acknowledges that no one was physically harmed in the fire, but Diller reminds her of the emotional damage it caused. Bree is a recovering addict and is making an effort to stay clean by attending rehab, going to meetings, and working at the family restaurant. She has expressed a desire to return to the front office, leading some to speculate that she may have hidden intentions; many characters in this story seem to have ulterior motives.

Additionally, in this complex blend: Gerardo Celasco portrays Marcus Sanchez, an overly muscular Drug Enforcement Administration agent; Michael Gaston plays Sheriff Clyde Porter, an old adversary of Harlan, harboring class grudges; and Rafael L. Silva is Shawn, the latest bartender at the Buckleys’ eatery, whose lack of mixology skills causes suspicion. Topher Grace is slated to make an appearance in future episodes.

Since Williamson was raised in the area portrayed in the show and is the child of a fisherman, one might expect a richer depiction of local life and perhaps some understanding of the fishing trade, as opposed to focusing on criminal schemes and romantic encounters that could occur anywhere. (Admittedly, my expectations are somewhat unusual.)

Instead, things are somewhat unclear and lacking depth. Characters adopt personas and find themselves in and out of predicaments – there are gunfights and skirmishes, unexpected disclosures and startling occurrences – yet few appear to be evolving into intriguing characters. (I’ve only had the chance to review three out of eight episodes, so it’s possible things will develop; nonetheless, that’s three hours of television I’ve watched.) They seem somewhat dull, even, and what happens to any of them, though it keeps me mildly curious, never truly piques my interest. Belle stands out due to being portrayed by Bello and having at least one scene where she appears as a relatable, compassionate person, and Bree can be pitied given her son’s dislike for her. I would suggest Peyton, one of the few without an ulterior motive – at least, not yet – to take her daughter and depart town, but I suspect that won’t occur.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself captivated by “The Waterfront” despite its seemingly generic feel in certain aspects. Yet, the action and interconnectedness of events keep me hooked, making it irresistible not to explore how each scene unfolds into the next. This is what keeps many of us glued to our screens, the thrill of the unexpected that often arises from the ordinary. And sometimes, “just fine” is more than enough, it’s satisfying enough to keep us coming back for more.

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2025-06-19 10:31

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