Movie

The Water Engine

1992 · 88 min

A slow-burning, talky descent into paranoia and corporate menace, with a bleak, theatrical chill and a quiet sense of doom.

Overview: In the 1930s, Charles Lang invents an engine that runs using water for fuel. But when he tries to get it patented, he is first offered a ridiculously low amount. When he refuses, he is suddenly several people are pressuring him to sell. The big oil companies don't want the competition. Now he has to try and keep them from getting his idea, and somehow get it published.
How it feels: Dark, tense, melancholic and cynical. Measured and needs your attention.
About: Corruption, power, greed, betrayal
Content: Mild violence and language. No gore or sexual content.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown

Tone: darkstrength 2 of 3
tensestrength 2 of 3
melancholicstrength 2 of 3
cynicalstrength 2 of 3
Pacing: measured, 2 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: corruption
power
greed
betrayal
family
Places: big city
workplace
home
Era: period
Audience: adult
Form: single location
nonlinear
Content intensity: Gore none
Language mild
Violence mild
Sex none