Watch Downeast

In the independent drama film Downeast, directed by Anthony Haney-Jardine, a struggling fisherman named Ray (Greg Finley) tries to take care of his ailing daughter and protect his aging mother (Judith Ivey) from the town's ruthless lobster mafia. Set in a small Maine fishing town, the movie opens with Ray, who has recently gotten out of prison, trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Nicolle (Dylan Silver). Nicolle is a moody teen who is frustrated with her father's absence during her formative years and wants little to do with him. However, Ray is determined to make things right and be a real father to her.

Ray's mother, Alice, is also struggling. She has early-stage dementia but does not want to leave her home and move into a nursing home. She is fiercely independent, but her memory lapses put her in danger, especially when she forgets to turn off the stove or leave the door unlocked.

At the same time, Ray is trying to rebuild his fishing business and make ends meet. But he soon finds out that the town's lobster mafia, led by a man named Ames (Tom Kemp), has taken over the waters and is muscling out independent fishermen like himself. Ames is a ruthless businessman who will stop at nothing to control the lobster population and eliminate anyone who tries to defy him.

Desperate to provide for his family, Ray takes a risky job working for Ames, hoping to gain his trust and get a bigger share of the catch. But the job turns out to be much more dangerous than he anticipated, putting both himself and his family in harm's way.

As tensions rise between Ray and Ames, a tragic event occurs that changes everything. Ray must decide whether to keep fighting for his independence and risking his family's safety or succumbing to the pressures of the town's violent lobster mafia.

The film's strong suit is its performances, with Greg Finley and Judith Ivey delivering standout performances as father and mother. Finley powerfully portrays the love and desperation of a man trying to make things right, while Ivey skillfully balances the sharp wit and vulnerability of a woman losing her memory.

In addition, the cinematography beautifully captures the stark beauty and isolation of the Maine coastline, contrasting the peacefulness of the natural world with the harshness of human greed and violence.

Overall, Downeast is a poignant and suspenseful drama that sheds light on the struggles of independent fishermen and the impact of corporate greed on small communities.

Downeast is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 56 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 79.