Film Review of Open Water
Year: 2003 Reviewer: Chris Docker
OPEN WATER 8/10 - very scary stuff with sharks - general release Open Water is a lot more subtle than Jaws, made on a fraction of the budget, and refreshing in its demonstration of how basic, realistic film-making can have the power to make us squirm in our seats when done well. A jet-setting American couple take time off their jobs to take a holiday break that includes a bit of diving. The boat has twenty people - the captain crosses people off as they come back on board so he knows everyone is safely back. The style has an almost documentary feel to it (not surprisingly it is based on the true story of two scuba divers who got stranded when their boat accidentally left). So it seems entirely plausible when he counts off twenty people and returns to shore - overlooking the fact that one person went diving twice, the second time with someone who had forgotten their mask and borrowed one when the other divers were back. Simple miscalculation. The ensuing nightmare of Susan and Daniel, the two stranded divers, goes from relaxed belief that they will be picked up soon when the mistake is noticed, to domestic squabbles over who's 'fault' it was, to brave concern, to outright terror. The film is genuinely terrifying - there are no special effects, just superb film-making. Don't go and see Open Water if you are about to go on a scuba diving holiday - it may make you cancel the trip.
Rating: 8/10
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