Time and again in director Lila Neugebauer’s authentic, moving and quietly powerful PTSD drama “Causeway,” we’re presented with set-up scenes where we think we know what’s going to happen next.
- Two people who are just getting to know one another and might be considering igniting the spark of a romance go to a raucous local pub for a burger and a beer. A rowdy local approaches their table, disdainfully sizes up the guy, figures he’s no challenge — and asks the woman to dance. Uh-oh, here comes the bar fight!
- A woman who has a job cleaning pools in upscale neighborhoods invites a friend to come party at one such lavish backyard setup, because the owners are out of town and won’t be back for days. Oh boy, you just know those homeowners are going to return early.
- Returning home from combat service overseas, a soldier moves in with her single mother, who apparently hasn’t stopped partying since her teenage days and acts more like the daughter than the mother in the relationship. We know what’s going to happen here: There’s going to be an explosive clash one night, and the two will probably never talk again.
