The Lifeguard
The Lifeguard

Movie spotlight

The Lifeguard

2013
Movie
98 min
English

A former valedictorian quits her reporter job in New York and returns to the place she last felt happy: her childhood home in Connecticut. She gets work as a lifeguard and starts a dangerous relationship with a troubled teenager.

Insights

IMDb5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes38%
Metacritic53/100
Google Users58%
Director: Liz W. GarciaGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A 29-year-old Los Angeles reporter quits her job and returns to her childhood home in Connecticut, seeking a fresh start. She reconnects with her former life, including her mother, her ex-boyfriend, and a group of friends. As she navigates this period of introspection, she finds herself falling for a young man who is still a teenager, leading to complex emotional and ethical considerations.

Critical Reception

The Lifeguard received mixed reviews from critics. While Kristen Bell's performance was often praised, the film's plot and pacing were frequently cited as weaknesses. Audiences had a similarly divided response, with some appreciating the exploration of mature themes and others finding it predictable or underdeveloped.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Kristen Bell's committed performance.

  • Criticized for a meandering plot and predictable story beats.

  • Some found the exploration of adult choices and lingering youth intriguing.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a decent watch, with many appreciating Kristen Bell's acting. However, a significant portion of reviews pointed out that the story lacked originality and felt somewhat slow-paced.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in Westport, Connecticut, the hometown of director Liz W. Garcia.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

***A successful-yet- disheartened adult goes back home to refresh, but momentarily forgets she’s an adult*** An overachieving 29 year-old reporter in New York City (Kristen Bell) experiences burnout and so flees to her hometown in Connec...