Hell or High Seas (2021) Film Review
When watching (and reviewing) documentaries, there’s one thing I like to make sure of. Always stay on the objective side of the consideration. As interesting as the story may be, we aren’t evaluating itself, but how it’s portrayed in the format it’s being used. This requires us to shift away from getting ourselves in what are sometimes magnetic stories about human accomplishment that’s more than admirable. It’s a matter of passion and how it pulls us in sometimes.
In Hell or High Seas a very important story is told. It’s a story that’s provoked by a real tragedy occurring today: PTSD in veterans that’s so harsh it drives them to be suicidal. We’ve seen these stories before. We’ve heard the testimonies of those close to that life-threatening decision. But Hell or High Seas is an invasive experiment that goes further to make a point.
A veteran, Taylor Grieger, has taken the task to raise awareness by completing a mission: he’s decided to sail to the other side of the world. To a remote point of our existence where the silence is maddening Alongside Grieger, his partner Stephen O’Shea. Along the way, some others will join. The strategy on this mission and the need for survival is a twist on what they thought a personal endeavor could signify. For us viewers, it’s an adventure that’s heartbreaking, exciting and yes, it will open your eyes to an issue that’s not easily seen and understood.
The film is told in video diary format, mixed with animated sequences, and a set of beautiful shots that show how massive their mission was. It’s a wonderful dive into the lives of men who used their vision to amplify a message. But it isn’t until their trip takes a perilous turn that we understand how deep they’re willing to go to make themselves heard.
But is it worth it? Absolutely. Hell or High Seas is a personal film, written by the very talented O’Shea, that at the beginning could be misplaced. After all, it shows men going to depths that are unnecessary for some. However, during the trip, it’s easy to see where the film is going and what they are trying to accomplish. They are working for a bigger cause. In their eyes trauma hides, in their tears the pain slowly drifts away. It’s why the triumphs feel like triumphs in the movie. Sure, editing has a lot to do with this because the film uses incredible pieces of footage to make us part of this trip.
Nevertheless, I can’t think of a better way to support their cause than watching Hell or High Seas and accompanying unsung heroes in a journey deep into the random behavior of the sea. A sea that’s shared by many countries, many personalities, and many dangers. Making peace with that is just another step in their process. Their goal is pristine and untouchable. The film is shot so we can doubt whether they can actually make it to the end.
As for me, I believed in them from the very beginning. Spirits like that can’t be tamed. This is a documentary that’s difficult to see from an objective point of view. Not because the story is alluring, but because the people living it are exceptional and essential.
This is a film we’ll worth seeing, portraying veterans curse of PTSD and their attempts to deal and work through it, realizing in the end that the curse is lifelong!
Highly recommend great movie this year, beautifully filmed and skillfully edited. There are no flaws in the story or the presentation.