Our good friend Big Bald Dave just sent in a review he wrote of Open Water for his lovely Imagine ‘Dat website. Does he like it? You bet. Read on for his thoughts …
“Independent movies are perceived quite a bit differently than they used to be both by critics and by consumers. With a string of successful very low budget films having hit mainstream theatres in the last few years, people just expect more and are by extension willing to forgive less of filmmakers hampered by budget, etc. I predict Open Water, while still doing solid box office, will be hampered by its strengths more than by its weaknesses. This is a much more intelligent film than audiences, who because of marketing are paying to be scared, will want to see.
It’s also a deceptively simple film and therein lays its power. Instead of catapulting us from one event to another we are left, like the characters, alone, adrift if you will. The terror emerges out of the sense of isolation and though sharks and other aquatic conventions play a part in this, there is a sense of hopeless dread, a sucking whirlpool. To be alone in the ocean is to be utterly alone even if you’re with someone you love. It calls the very nature of love into question.
Susan and Daniel are a couple in dire need of a vacation from their workaholic lifestyle. A last minute decision, motivated by the needs of Susan’s job, leads them to choose a vacation that includes a diving jaunt. All goes well until they surface only to discover the boat is not there. Soon the pair is adrift, in waters they know to be frequented by sharks.
The movie does a lot to set the characters up for us, a wise move since we spend most of Open Water with the couple as they bob up and down through the waves. As mentioned above the couple does encounter various aquatic bogies but they struggle mainly with each other and their own growing sense of terror in their situation. Arguments arise about whose dumb idea the vacation was in the first place, about money, work and finally the couple’s relationship itself. To call Open Water a downer is a bit of an understatement. For those concerned with spoilers, believe me I’ve revealed less than you think and thinking is something you want to do while watching this film.
Made over a process of three years Open Water is utterly independent. The director and producer Рwho also, like the couple in the film, happen to be married Рput up the miniscule budget of $120,000 dollars. Initially there wasn’t even a score for the film so while comparisons to Jaws are tempting they are also somewhat disingenuous. Jaws, which is a studio masterpiece no doubt, features in the end one lone man against an inhuman enemy, an enemy he vanquishes in an indifferent environment. Without the shark there is no reason to suspect that Brody wouldn’t simply float home. In Open Water the ocean itself becomes the enemy, the indifference of the vast expanse is set against the human bodies need for water, food, shelter. The ocean seems to mock even as it ignores becoming an environment that is at once familiar and alien.
For such a cheaply made film Open Water is tightly written, well photographed and contains solid performances from its leads. There is a bit of blurring that probably has to do with blowing the film up from it’s source but overall the realism that’s achieved, especially in the shark sequences is unbearable. For a film that spends most of its time with two characters adrift in an ocean there is surprisingly little sense of the camera’s presence.
I really can‚Äôt recommend Open Water more highly. Suspenseful, thought provoking, you should go see Open Water for more than just the sharks.”
Big Bald Dave
I’ve just watched this movie on pay-per-view on cable too. The only preparation I’d had for it was the few trailers I’d seen at the cinema sometime last year. All I knew was that a couple were stranded out in the ocean after a diving trip. I expected tension, I expected a long wait, I expected them to be rescued. Well, you would, wouldn’t you! It’s that kind of movie, isn’t it? Humankind vs. nature. We always come out on top, don’t we?
I was very impressed with this movie. I wonder what those who’ve said that they hate this movie were looking for in it, what were you hoping for? What would you do if you were stranded in the ocean? Swim for shore? (What direction?) Wait for the boat to return (They will come back … won’t they?) This movie doesn’t answer any questions for you. It makes you think. (If you are willing to do so.) It doesn’t take the easy option and satisfy you with a cheap and cheesy ending. A lot of films I finish watching and I feel bigger and better and able to do anything — after this one I feel suitably put into place: a six foot four man on a huge, water-covered planet.
Just saw this movie on pay per view TV. What a load of crap, I was so bored after just a few minutes. The acting from the couple in the water is truly awful, especially from the wife or girlfriend character. When the sharks are around she tries to act scared but it’s so unconvincing – she acts like it’s a mouse or spider she’s seen rather than a man eating shark that could kill her! Dialogue is ridiculous, in fact the whole film sucks, one of the worst I’ve ever seen. Totally overhyped, don’t believe anyone who says this is a good movie!
I saw it last night and I am a scuba diver who has been on many many dives. I actually could understand how the divers felt as the time went by and the fact that they really couldn’t believe they were actually forgotten. That is why, in my humble opinion, you don’t see them freak out so much for most of the movie…they truly believe that they are going to be rescued and that the entire incident will be over. They truly believe that one of the passing boats will rescue them. I think that it is really easy for the regular moviegoer to judge the movie…especially if they haven’t gone diving on a regular basis. I was mesmerized by the film and thought it was shot just how it was…that is how the water is when you are out there and I could feel their desperate isolation. The nonsensical banter they went through was something they did to try not to actually deal with what was happening to them. Just my opinion.
I keep an open mind to other people’s opinions, and that’s why I ended up seeing Open Water.
That taught me better.
This movie was horrible. The characters were paper-thin and so was the “plot.” The fact that it is independant does not make it more artsy, more interesting, or a better movie. It just makes a good EXCUSE.
I’ve seen MANY independant films, so in response to the person who belittled the negative reviews: NO, it is NOT true that people are disliking this movie because they want “Hollywood.” They dislike the movie because they want a GOOD, interesting, possibly entertaining movie.
This ain’t it.
No offense guys, but I cannot believe you people ACTUALLY went to see this!!! Oh, so that guy going under water in the preview was enough to get you to go see it?? CMON! Dont know you know that they always hype the best parts, then when you go to the movies, those ARE the best parts and the rest of the movie sucks!! No offense, but I could tell already that this movie sucked. The acting was horrible in the movie preview, forget the rest of the movie….I can only imagaine. OH and to those people that say “oh its different”. So what? Yes, I admire people doing adventerous things, but cmon, people go to the movies to be entertained….not to watch a documentary…
This is the WORST FUCKING movie i have EVER seen.
I kept hoping the sharks would hurry up eating them so the movie would END!
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I’m always puzzled as to why people give a film a few extra stars simply because it was low budget and independent – none of that should have anything to do with the review.
I’ve just watched this movie less than an hour ago and I thought it was 2 out 5, at best.
From the very start when the guy gave his girl some withering looks about her cell phone ringing a lot, I predicted the dialogue when they got stranded would turn to their relationship and how it worked. Unfortunately, even though I predicted correctly, the dialogue was nothing more than a bit if “It’s your fault” toing and froing. Very disappointing.
You get the feeling the death of the couple was nothing more than a tactic to bring about a bit of suspense and sadness at the end.
The director should have concentrated more on the dialogue between the couples as they strived to repair their relationship while struggling against the fears of being stranded and then let them be rescued.
*Luaghs hard* I’ll get back to you guys after I watch this.
for goodness sake people! The reason it looks ike it was made with a cam corder is because it was! And of course it isn’t like the real story, it is based on it, it uses the idea of the previous events, it’s not a documentory of it.
Just saw the movie is was crap. Looked like it was done with a handy cam corder. Worse movie I have ever seen aswell, Im pretty easily impressed but this was SHOCKING. Boring, I was waiting for the good bit to kick in but it never did. the two death were cheap, bad acting. ME and a friend can go on a boat and re-enact the movie better. Waste of money I regret it all, crap sound, didnt sell the story. Looked like very cheap budget, a serious estimate would be like $20,000 for making it. Its so poorly done. DONT SEE IT.
Just my 2 cents, thanks for reading,
Shaun
you are silly.you can’t understand that it is a real story and it is not a movie?!
I’m only 13 but I can already see that it will be a great film and even though I can’t see it, which I’m dying to, I’m still trying to convince my Dad to let me see it. I would’nt care if it had a thousand cuss words in it, I’d still want to see the film. I love sci fi and all their shark films but I can see that this will be even better than any sci fi movie. So, pray that my Dad will change his mind and relize that I’m a teenager and I ca n handle any film like Open Water. Have fun with the sharks!
signed
Samantha Eaton
This film is a piece of art and very talented, with its cast and directing. I’m guessing that all who are saying this film is bad are simple people who like to be scared by actual crappy films, such as Alien and Nightmare On Elm Street, who went to see it purposely to be scared AGAIN by blood and gore. The scariest thing about the film is that it is a real life situation anybody could get themselves in to and follows the characters helplessly. The reason the reviewers are raving about the film is because it is a great piece of filmmaking that you are too simple to understand.
I have read numerous reviews on this movie at multiple websites (unfortunately that was AFTER I paid to see the movie). I want to know if the critics raving about the movie actually SAW it. If so, were they stoned? This is the most pathetic excuse for a movie I have ever encountered. Previously, I thought the Razor’s Edge (anyone remember that Bill Murray fiasco?)was the worst movie ever made. Kudo’s to this independent film maker for toppling that nearly 20 year record. I have heard complaints that this movie didn’t measure up to the hype… let me tell you I had not even seen a preview- went in cold and it SUCKED anyway. Here’s the real deal on this crap – The characters are poorly developed… not to mention the BAD acting – after 15 minutes, I asked the unfortunate soul who attended with me if she had noticed a plot, or if it was an oversight on my part. Hey! How about that nude scene. BAM! Naked woman for no apparent reason. Not even a romantic scene to follow because she “wasn’t in the mood”. I couldn’t even feel sorry for this couple after they were left in the water because they didn’t even like each other. Based on actual events is a little bit of a stretch. The only actual event is that a couple went missing. I was hoping for some pirate ship to come along… feed the man to the sharks and sell the woman into some kind of illegal slavery ring. No such luck.. they just floated along for a REALLY long time til the guy gets bit and croaks. Then the chick pushes him away to be devoured by sharks ( at which time I am thinking ” Wow! You must have really loved him a lot!). Then she swims over to check out what’s left of him- Neato! Oh! and THEN she takes of her gear and DROWNS herself. By the way.. that’s the END. Except for a tiny shark being gutted only to find a camera not unlike one the couple had along with them . Favorite lines of this movie ( read some sarcasm here)… Let’s swim out of this puke & I wanted to go skiing! . I also enjoyed the visual effect of a black screen – I’m talking totally black like “oops I forgot to remove the lens cap”… supposedly simulating the darkness of the ocean at nightfall… oooooh very deep and artsy. Suffice to say the movie SUCKED!!. Thanks for letting me vent ( I just left the theater 2 hrs ago and had to take it out on someone).
Well i agree with the reviewer i went to see the film a few days ago an i like it. what none of you seem to understand is the film was made on a low budget an to be honest id like to see you guys get off ur backsides an see if you can do any better?? The film was based around a true story an i would like to see more young directors up an coming with natural camera filming instead of the usual crash bang of computer made films. thnx for reading x
Erm – does the official reviewer have any idea? No one who has followed up thinks this film is any good! I came on here to check the review out after Mofflet from http://www.e36coupe.com reviewed it and said it was pants. Well, clearly, he was right!
Horrible, gratuitous, offensive, and little whatsoever to do with the fascinating events that may/may not have taken place in real life concerning this couple. Pure guesswork, pure fiction, pure shite. I want my 80 minutes and nine quid back.
That was the worst film ive ever seen and i thought the Russia House was bad!
People were leaving after 30 minutes thats how bad it was. when i got there there were 190 seats left, 30 minutes before the end there must have been 290!
A good story in real life but not for a film, they say it cost $100,000 to make which is approx $99,995 more than it should have
This was by far, the worst movie that we have ever seen. This movie could have been done in 10 minutes! The quality was poor. Many shots looked like they were filmed with a camcorder. This movie isn’t even truthful. If the movie is based on real events, then it should tell the actual story. This couple didn’t die. They swam to the buoy and were rescued! That would have made a better story than the current one. If anyone knows how we can get our money back, I would love to hear it. This was the biggest waste of my time and money.
Open Water is the worse movie I have ever seen at a movie theater….what a waste of time and especially of money. Everyone that wastes money on this movie should get it back!
There was no story line, no music hardly (makes the movie) and just a crappy movie.
My husband and I wasted money and time going to this movie. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!
Open Water sucked! That has got to be the most horrible movie I have ever seen in my life! v.v Glad I didn’t pay to see it. That would’ve been wasted money.
This has been an incredible year for the makers of independent films and for us indie fans. We have been treated to a much deserved documentary on the great white shark of the conservative American political scene by Michael Moore and the great white of conservative media (Rupert Murdock). Now, “Open Water,” the great white shark of low-budget, high quality independent not-quite-fact non-documentary films, proves that the third time is, indeed, the (c)harm. If you believe the teaser trailer, the film is based on three factual incidents, no doubt especially that of Americans Tom and Elieen Lonergan, who in 1998 paid for a dive off the coast of Australia and, through a series of careless but simple errors of the boat crew, were abandoned. Though their bodies were never found, some of their equipment was. The boat captain went on trial but was not convicted of any crime; his lawyer, in fact, proved to be something of a shark himself, sinking so low as to theorize that the Mr. Lonergan plotted to commit suicide, or to disappear from the law. (FYI: the plot worked, the jury found him “Not guilty.”) This film never goes that far into the story, fortunately. Rather, the audience get 15 minutes of their personal lives, from home to plane flight to hotel…then to the action, the adventure, the horror. The clever director throws us into the next 24 hours of their lives during one hour of our time–one intense, terrifying hour, the only one the average moviegoer can tolerate. As the couple endure frustration, aggrivation, dehydration, thunder and lightning, frightening noises that may or may not be sounding (“ala “Blair Witch” paid to homage), jellyfish stings, and the appearance of possible fins, the end result is likely the scenario of the Lonergans, who experience the isolation and the mounting fear of watching and waiting for the ultimate and final attack by the ever increasing number of sharks that have encircled them. Meanwhile, the audience endures growing tension, fingernail biting, heartbeating and heartbreaking horror, as we the husband go into permanent shock, the wife make a gut-wrenching couple of choices, and the denoument build to an ending we cannot imagine–their drama unfolds to a must-see during-the-credits ending that is as much a tribute to the divers in the opening scene of “Jaws 2” as it is to the Lonergans and also to a Hitchcock, who somewhere must be smiling at the irony, the black comedy, the sickness and the cliffhanger of sorts. In fact, director Chris Kentis has commented on how he would like to make a prequel to “Jaws” based on Robert Shaw’s haunting monologue as Quint recalls the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis which left some 1,000 seaman adrift in the shark-infested Pacific Ocean waters for a week. Kentis might get to make this film someday soon, for “Open Water” will no doubt be the last big hit of the summer, and the director and cast will certainly gain sudden stardom for this film.
Note the last names of the two main characters. A well-deserved nod to :Jaws.: