In essence, the movie delivered what was written on the back of the case.
Throughout the movie, I wasn't convinced that Susan and Daniel were even a couple. It's not clear whether they are married, but they are clearly supposed to be quite close considering the early scenes in the film. The dialogue they share doesn't make me feel like they have either had or are about to have a long term relationship. They bat lines to each other but they don't really convey like they are romantically linked. Unfortunately, as they have 95% screen time, this really should have been more convincing.
The soundtrack, I feel, was unnecessary. Whereas "Jaws" was assisted by an excellent and classic John Williams soundtrack, this movie didn't really need one. It was shot almost like an amateur, home video and so the lack of soundtrack would have suited what was on screen. Jaws was about numerous, impending, gory tragedy. In this film, the anxiety could have been provided by clever visuals instead.
The majority of the movie was powered by dialogue so it's a shame that the script was a let-down. Half way through, I started to imagine being in the same situation as our main characters and what action I would consider. This was rewarding, but short-lived. Our couple soon have an argument as to whose fault it all is. It's clearly Daniel's lack of great decision-making that is to blame, but it's not always apparent to Susan. She wants to swim to the nearest boats initially and he refuses, and he ignores a plane that flies overhead while she looks underwater. He blames her for her 24/7 career getting in the way of a decent, safe vacation and for having to suffice for a cheaper, more risky holiday. I found it strange that Susan was stupid enough to drink a load of sea water and as a result became ill and threw up in the water. Surely everyone knows that you can't drink sea water and this would have especially been raised if they were going on a diving vacation?
I was attracted by the original, courageous idea for a movie and was glad that it was a mere 77 minutes long. Any longer and it would have been a bit of a drag. I admit that the pace of the movie was about right for the total length and our main characters weren't floating around for an hour waiting for the next boat to appear.
Based on a true story meant that the ending had to resemble what might have happened and so is a little surprising, but it does make the viewer relate to the situation the couple were in and the measures they were forced to resort to.
Does it gives sharks bad press? Sharks always get bad press. In this movie, they're just doing what they would do naturally, whether it's a couple of humans floating on the surface or a couple of dolphins, they need to eat.
The whole film was shot digitally and it's a common view that this is a negative way (forgive the pun) to shoot a movie. This movie didn't need any more than that, it was all about having two people in the frame and not a lot more. There were a few underwater scenes of fish and coral and sharks so there was no need for outstanding cinematography. It was more important to portray a situation than to spend a fortune on expensive cameras and film.
Not a film I'd highly recommend, unless I was asked to suggest an alternative genre. This has been regarded as a cross between "The Blair Witch Project" and "Jaws" - it's nowhere near close to either flick, but that might be a hint to its originality.
I'm giving it a 6 out of 10, mainly for it's difference and for Blanchard Ryan, who played Susan. She's a honey!
Throughout the movie, I wasn't convinced that Susan and Daniel were even a couple. It's not clear whether they are married, but they are clearly supposed to be quite close considering the early scenes in the film. The dialogue they share doesn't make me feel like they have either had or are about to have a long term relationship. They bat lines to each other but they don't really convey like they are romantically linked. Unfortunately, as they have 95% screen time, this really should have been more convincing.
The soundtrack, I feel, was unnecessary. Whereas "Jaws" was assisted by an excellent and classic John Williams soundtrack, this movie didn't really need one. It was shot almost like an amateur, home video and so the lack of soundtrack would have suited what was on screen. Jaws was about numerous, impending, gory tragedy. In this film, the anxiety could have been provided by clever visuals instead.
The majority of the movie was powered by dialogue so it's a shame that the script was a let-down. Half way through, I started to imagine being in the same situation as our main characters and what action I would consider. This was rewarding, but short-lived. Our couple soon have an argument as to whose fault it all is. It's clearly Daniel's lack of great decision-making that is to blame, but it's not always apparent to Susan. She wants to swim to the nearest boats initially and he refuses, and he ignores a plane that flies overhead while she looks underwater. He blames her for her 24/7 career getting in the way of a decent, safe vacation and for having to suffice for a cheaper, more risky holiday. I found it strange that Susan was stupid enough to drink a load of sea water and as a result became ill and threw up in the water. Surely everyone knows that you can't drink sea water and this would have especially been raised if they were going on a diving vacation?
I was attracted by the original, courageous idea for a movie and was glad that it was a mere 77 minutes long. Any longer and it would have been a bit of a drag. I admit that the pace of the movie was about right for the total length and our main characters weren't floating around for an hour waiting for the next boat to appear.
Based on a true story meant that the ending had to resemble what might have happened and so is a little surprising, but it does make the viewer relate to the situation the couple were in and the measures they were forced to resort to.
Does it gives sharks bad press? Sharks always get bad press. In this movie, they're just doing what they would do naturally, whether it's a couple of humans floating on the surface or a couple of dolphins, they need to eat.
The whole film was shot digitally and it's a common view that this is a negative way (forgive the pun) to shoot a movie. This movie didn't need any more than that, it was all about having two people in the frame and not a lot more. There were a few underwater scenes of fish and coral and sharks so there was no need for outstanding cinematography. It was more important to portray a situation than to spend a fortune on expensive cameras and film.
Not a film I'd highly recommend, unless I was asked to suggest an alternative genre. This has been regarded as a cross between "The Blair Witch Project" and "Jaws" - it's nowhere near close to either flick, but that might be a hint to its originality.
I'm giving it a 6 out of 10, mainly for it's difference and for Blanchard Ryan, who played Susan. She's a honey!