Some people have called "Open Water" the "Jaws" for the new millenium. Obviously, there are some intrinsic similarities, namely the fact that there are sharks. Honestly, though, after viewing "Open Water", I can't help feeling that the film has much more in common with "The Blair Witch Project" than anything else. The similarities are striking, from the minimalist cast of "unknowns", to the understated score, to the stark digital video cinematography, and to the very structure...
The synopsis...
Busy yuppie couple Susan (Blanchard Ryan) and Daniel (Daniel Travis) decide to take a much-needed vacation from their cold, dreary lives in the suburbs...partially because it seems they've grown more than a little bored with one another. They agree on a tropical fun-in-the-sun trip, including scuba diving in reef-waters. Upon arriving at their hotel, they share some awkwardly tender moments (including some gratuitous nudity courtesy of the very Charlize Theron-like Blanchard Ryan). At this point, we're not sure just how close these folks are to getting a divorce, but in any event, it's clear that they love each other, even if they don't particularly like each other. The next morning, they hurry down to the docks to get on a group-chartered scuba tour boat, and set out to the titular "Open Water". The crew (comprised of quite possibly the biggest blithering idiots in the history of humankind) take a "head count", and explain the buddy system and other safety precautions to the dozen or so people on the boat. No one gets to dive without a mask. No one gets to dive without a partner. Them's the rules, as they say, and soon our heroes are in the water, enjoying the natural beauty and generally having a good time. Of course, this wouldn't be a horror film without some tragic, albeit stupid, plot device whereby (long story short) a faulty head count is taken, and upon resurfacing, Susan and Daniel find themselves abandoned by their vessel...and stuck out in the "Open Water", all alone, and miles away from the shore. Of course, like everyone would do at first, Susan and Daniel try to make the best of the situation (even playing "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon"), and generally try to remain calm and collected about their situation. After several hours, though, it becomes clearer that our protagonists are in deeper trouble than they could have guessed. Soon, they are cold, hungry, and they begin to play the blame game. At this point, the weaknesses in their relationship rear their ugly heads, and one can sense that, if they were to survive, their marriage certainly wouldn't last much longer. So, there they are...drifting in the ocean, alone, scared, tired, hungry, cold, and hating each other more with each passing moment...
...and then the sharks arrive...
I realize that some of my readers will not have seen "Open Water" yet. Furthermore, I'm sure there are a few of you who haven't seen it and haven't had the last half (and the ending) ruined for you by someone. So, I'm not going to say anything else about the plot. Period. Like it or loathe it, "Open Water" tries very nobly to build up tension in the first half of the movie, and then to release that tension through a very methodic chain of events during the last half. So, I'm not gonna ruin it for you here. Suffice it to say that, being a horror film, "Open Water" has the constant threat of death hanging over Susan and Daniel, and things really start to go to shit when they start to distrust one another. As I mentioned earlier, this film has been too-oft compared to "Jaws". Really, they have practically nothing in common. This isn't a story about sharks. It's not a story about revenge. It's a story about two people set adrift in a sea of doubt.
As a debut feature, "Open Water" shows quite a bit of promise. Kentis has made a fairly succesful and effective thriller with very limited resources. It manages to work the nerves of the viewer, without ever becoming preachy or overbearing. I realize that, like "The Blair Witch Project", this film will polarize viewers (particularly jaded horror fans). There will be those who think "Open Water" is the greatest thriller of the last several years, and there will be those who feel more than a little bit ripped-off and manipulated by the whole thing. My feelings fall somewhere in between those two sentiments. I do think that "Open Water" serves up some truly palpable tension and some solid scares, and I think that the acting by the two principals is commendable. However, I think that the film falls somewhat short of its mark, most notably because of the completely asinine plot device that makes the whole conflict possible. Supposedly, it's based on a "true story", but like all films based on true stories, "Open Water" twists and molds the facts and details to fit its own purposes. This is not a reflection of reality...it's a reflection of someone's version of reality. The film takes place in a proverbial never-never-land where things don't necessarily need to make any logical sense, least of all the events leading up to our heroes being separated from their boat to begin with. Likewise, the ending leaves a bit to be desired. I'm not going to ruin it (like I promised), but the end tries too hard to be shocking and downbeat, but comes off feeling a bit rushed and silly. I understood the point that Kentis was trying to achieve, but the point is lost amidst a little too much pretentious self-indulgence on the part of the filmmakers. So, that makes this review a little less-than-adoring, but honestly, I still enjoyed the hell out of this movie. It's a taut, solid little shocker, but it's nowhere near the exercise in pure terror that much of the media has made it out to be. As such, it's a disappointment. But, if you watch it the right way (that is, with your willing suspension of disbelief set to "stun"), it's enjoyable and scary.
Now, this DVD from Lion's Gate Entertainment is quite nice. It's available in two versions...widescreen and full-frame. I'm looking at the widescreen version (of course). True to its shot-on-digital video origins, the transfer is nice and sparkling clear, and there are few imperfections to speak of. It's sharp, crisp, and well-balanced. There is one sequence that takes place in near pitch-darkness, and nary an artifact is to be found. The sound is simple but effective...your surround system won't exactly get a workout with this film, as there are very few dynamic sound effects. Still, the sound is clear, and there is no noise to speak of. The incessant lapping of tiny waves on the soundtrack really helps to keep the viewer "in the moment", as it becomes impossible to take your mind out of the setting. The DVD sports some very nice bonus features...especially for a low-budget film like this. They include: two full-length commentaries (one by director Kentis and producer Laura Lau, and the other by Ryan and Travis), a "making of" featurette (basically the kind of thing you'd see on HBO, crammed in between other feature films), and most interestingly, a feature about how to market an independent movie. All told, some nice extras...Lion's Gate should be proud of slapping such a nice package together for such a small film.
"Open Water" is an effective, depressing thriller that is marred only by an extremely unlikely premise and a lame "look, we're being ironic" ending. Still, it's fun, and it's the best time you'll have in such familiar territory this side of "Shark Week". Recommended, but with the aforementioned reservations.
Some people have called "Open Water" the "Jaws" for the new millenium. Obviously, there are some intrinsic similarities, namely the fact that there are sharks. Honestly, though, after viewing "Open Water", I can't help feeling that the film has much more in common with "The Blair Witch Project" than anything else. The similarities are striking, from the minimalist cast of "unknowns", to the understated score, to the stark digital video cinematography, and to the very structure...
