OPEN WATER

[The Burgomaster]

I just saw this movie today.  It's a pretty good low budget movie about two tourists who are accidentally left at sea during a scuba diving excursion.  A couple of the movie's elements definitely break the "Hollywood mold," which makes it somewhat refreshing.  Not a great movie, but better than most of the larger budget trash that is in theaters now (THE VILLAGE, for example).  It only has a limited release (there are only 2 theaters in the Boston area showing it right now), so it might be tough for you to see it.  There really isn't any reason to see it on a big screen anyway - so wait until the DVD comes out or until it shows up on cable.

[loyal1]

Yeah, I saw the previews for this when I went to see The Village (I think that was the movie)  and as the trailor was suppose to be suspenseful, many just laughed.  I remember the voice over in the trailor said something to the effects of "What happens when you are stranded, alone in the open water..."  Then someone yells out  "You die a***ole.  Give me a break!"

But I am curious to see it.  It would be a mark of a great filmaker that can pull off suspense in just one small area and two people for the majority of the movie.  Hitchcock could do it, so perhaps this may not be so bad?

[Harry]

The couple it's based on are from here (Baton Rouge) and the girls father is good friends with mine.  Her parents made it clear that they certainly will not be seing it... far too emotional.  The whole thing assumes what might have happened, of course, because they didn't make it.  I don't know how it occurs in the movie, but I know the real couple got stranded because the captain down a ridiculous amount of beer after they got in the water and then lost them in a drunken stupor.

[The Burgomaster]

loyal1 wrote:

"But I am curious to see it. It would be a mark of a great filmaker that can pull off suspense in just one small area and two people for the majority of the movie. Hitchcock could do it, so perhaps this may not be so bad?"

I wouldn't compare this director to Hitchcock quite yet, but the director DID pull off a decent amount of suspense.  But it's not the JAWS type of suspense (scary music and rapid film editing, offset by quiet moments to keep you off guard).  It's more of an emotional level of suspense generated through dialogue.  I thought it was pretty well done.  Not a great movie, but a very good movie.

[Roger]

I just came back from seeing a weird and very interesting movie called "Open Water". It is the story, based on real events, of 2 divers left behind in the ocean after a scuba diving excursion. I say weird because it is a VERY low budget movie that makes it look amateur... but that is also it's greatest quality... it looks and feels like a "good" reality show (if that ever exists). Without special effects, you can feel the fear building up in the 2 main characters and the last 30 minutes are nerve wrecking!!! It is NOT for everybody. You have to like movies that are kinda marginal and the ending is surprising. But I loved it.

[Neville]

Seen it, but not really impressed. The filmmaker(s) stick to a pseudo-documentary style most of the time, and IMHO that kills much of the suspense. It still has some great moments (the argument between the couple was great) and some tame scary momkents, but I didn't like it as much as I expected. Interesting, though.