The Weight of Water (2000)

Director:

Kathryn Bigelow

Writers (WGA):

Anita Shreve (novel)
Alice Arlen (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 March 2001 (Italy)

Genre:

Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Hell hath no fury...

Plot:

A newspaper photographer, Jean, researches the lurid and sensational axe murder of two women in 1873...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Axe Murder | Island | Banishment | Incest

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ciarán Hinds	...	Louis Wagner (as Ciaran Hinds)
Richard Donat	...	Mr. Plaisted
Sarah Polley	...	Maren Hontvedt
Ulrich Thomsen	...	John Hontvedt
Anders W. Berthelsen	...	Evan Christenson
Joseph Rutten	...	Judge
John Walf	...	Defense Attorney
Katrin Cartlidge	...	Karen Christenson
Vinessa Shaw	...	Anethe Christenson
Adam Curry	...	Emil Ingerbretson
Catherine McCormack	...	Jean Janes
Sean Penn	...	Thomas Janes
Josh Lucas	...	Rich Janes
Elizabeth Hurley	...	Adaline Gunne
John Maclaren	...	Dr. Parsons

Also Known As:

Le poids de l'eau (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, sexuality/nudity, and brief language.

Runtime:

Russia:113 min | USA:113 min

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | UK:15 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-15 | France:U | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Fox Baja Studios, Rosarito, Baja California Norte, Mexico

Company:

Studio Canal

Trivia:

Based on an actual double-murder on the Isles of Shoals on 6 March 1873.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When John Doofus, the Norwegian husband, turns the tea mug over at the site of the murders, there is a modern factory silkscreen stamp on the bottom of the mug.

Quotes:

Maren Hontvedt: I have discovered in my life that it is not always the nature of god nor why he may bring in one night pleasure & death & rage & tenderness all intermingled so that one can barely distinguish one from the other... and it is all that one can do to hang onto sanity.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Ancient Evil 2: Guardian of the Underworld (2005) (V)

Underrated film by an underrated director.

"The Weight of Water" (interestingly obscure title, isn't it?) is not a masterpiece, and sometimes seems to be striving for a "greater meaning" that simply isn't there. However, that's no excuse for its excessively poor critical reception. Yes, the "seduction" part of the present story is a bit cliched, and the story of the past goes pretty much where you expect it (after a point) to go. In spite of all that, the film is able to get by on the strength of Kathryn Bigelow's direction, which is, in a word, impeccable. Every single shot is meticulously planned and - when it has to be - visually beautiful. Bigelow has already proved that she is a master of her craft when it comes to directing high-energy action sequences; here she proves that she is equally adept at subtlety. There are facial expressions, small gestures and glances that speak volumes in this movie. Of course part of the credit for that has to go to the cast, which is mostly superb (with the notable exception of Elizabeth Harley); Catherine McCormack and Sarah Polley are the best, each one holds her own story together perfectly. The film also has stunning photography and a beautiful music score. (**1/2)