Billy Cox
23rd June 2007, 02:38 PM (14:38)
'Open Water' is an independent film that enjoyed commercial success. If you like films that don't look like a rehashed version of everything else you have seen, then you will like Open Water.
'Open Water' is the story of a married couple on vacation in search of a break from their hectic lives. On a scuba diving excursion in the middle of the ocean, the boat owner messes up the headcount and inadvertently leaves the couple stranded far from land with only their scuba gear.
The plot follows the couple's harrowing experience in the ocean as they realize that they have been left, that they have not yet been missed, and they may not be missed for some time.
Did I mention that this is an independent film? There are no subplots. There are no other significant characters. There are no flashbacks nor dream sequences. The only time that the story cuts away from the couple is a periodic glimpse of life going on as normal at the vacation resort; people partying, having a good time, oblivious to the couple's precarious position.
There are numerous themes running through the movie, but I'll mention one. There is a point where the couple falls asleep (they have buoyant vests) and they drift apart - almost too far to find each other again. While everything else in their situation seems beyond their control, the couple has within their power the ability to choose not be alone.
This movie is rated 'R' for language and nudity, neither of which are gratuitous nor excessive. There is no sex at all, which is a plot device considering that the married couple are young, attractive, in a paradise-like setting prior to their diving excursion. Any violence is so understated as to require the viewer to figure out what has happened.
This movie meets my main crtieria for liking a movie:
1. Do I care about the characters?
2. Is the story compelling and believable?
3. Does the movie make me think/reflect?
The answer is 'yes' to all three. I give the movie a big thumbs up.
'Open Water' is the story of a married couple on vacation in search of a break from their hectic lives. On a scuba diving excursion in the middle of the ocean, the boat owner messes up the headcount and inadvertently leaves the couple stranded far from land with only their scuba gear.
The plot follows the couple's harrowing experience in the ocean as they realize that they have been left, that they have not yet been missed, and they may not be missed for some time.
Did I mention that this is an independent film? There are no subplots. There are no other significant characters. There are no flashbacks nor dream sequences. The only time that the story cuts away from the couple is a periodic glimpse of life going on as normal at the vacation resort; people partying, having a good time, oblivious to the couple's precarious position.
There are numerous themes running through the movie, but I'll mention one. There is a point where the couple falls asleep (they have buoyant vests) and they drift apart - almost too far to find each other again. While everything else in their situation seems beyond their control, the couple has within their power the ability to choose not be alone.
This movie is rated 'R' for language and nudity, neither of which are gratuitous nor excessive. There is no sex at all, which is a plot device considering that the married couple are young, attractive, in a paradise-like setting prior to their diving excursion. Any violence is so understated as to require the viewer to figure out what has happened.
This movie meets my main crtieria for liking a movie:
1. Do I care about the characters?
2. Is the story compelling and believable?
3. Does the movie make me think/reflect?
The answer is 'yes' to all three. I give the movie a big thumbs up.