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Poster for China Lake

China Lake

1989 · 94 min

It is a slow, atmospheric study of disconnection set against the vast, indifferent backdrop of the desert.

Directed by
Dieter Weihl
Genres
Drama
Overview
Edmond, a compulsive TV-watcher, and his apathetic son Scooter live in a caravan in the Nevada desert. One of the highlights of Edmond's life is when he acquires a new zapper for his satellite TV set. Eighteen-year-old Scooter's one and only leisure pastime consists of occasional visits to a bar where nothing ever happens. One day they are visited by fat Aunt Edna and Scooter's teenage sister Laura. Edna prevails on Edmond to pull himself together. And Scooter and Laura get to know each other and decide to head off to Las Vegas together, where a faintly incestuous tension develops between them.
How it feels
Cynical and melancholic. Measured and needs your attention.
About
Isolation, technology, coming-of-age, family
Content
Mild sexual content. No violence, gore or swearing.
Note
Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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In the USNo streaming, rental or purchase options known.
Directed by
Dieter Weihl
Genres
Drama
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How it feels

Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown
Tone
Pacing
measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention
engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Era
contemporary
Audience
adult
Form
None
Content intensity
  • Gore none
  • Language none
  • Violence none
  • Sex mild
All scales, 0 to 10
Scales, 0 to 10
ScaleValue0 to 10
Action1
Horror1
Humour2
Realism6
Romance3
Tension3
Darkness4
Complexity3
Emotional weight5

Cast

Where to watch in the US

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No streaming, rental or purchase options are known in the US.

Streaming data from JustWatch.TMDB

Details