Unexpected gem: Visitors

[ulthar]

We rented three movies this weekend: Radio, SWAT and Visitors.  Radio was as we expected, and SWAT was pleasantly unpainful (and a bit fun).  But the real gem here was Visitors, a movie we had not heard of before.

The plot is simple:  a lady heads out from Australia to sail around the world alone.  She cannot touch land or have any direct human contact while underway, though she can communicate with others via radio.  A large cosmetic firm sponsors the trip, making her somewhat beholden to her sponsors to 'play by the rules.'

The movie is a cross between horror (ghost story) and psychological thriller.  Georgia hits a patch of doldrums in the Indian Ocean after sailing 3/4 of the way around the world - she is on the final stretch - and sits essentially stationary for an extended period time.  Her months alone couple with the psychological impact of not making progress to play havoc with her mind.  The Visitors in the title come to see her on board, usually at night, while she drifts on the sea.

IMO, three things make this movie worth watching.  (1) It was NOT made in Hollywood to the typical Hollywood mold (it is an Australian film).  (2) the plot  and casting is simple, letting the film explore the Georgia's character and her situation.  The viewer does not know if what is happening is real or imagined.  (3) The subplots do not distract from the story but add to it.  When a subplot is introduced into the story, you hardly notice it, or care; it only serves to provide impetus to the main plot.

Also, the sailing scenes are pretty cool!