The Big Blue (1988)

The rivalry between Enzo and Jacques, two childhood friends and now world-renowned free divers, becomes a beautiful and perilous journey into oneself and the unknown.

Director:

Luc Besson

Writers:

Luc Besson (story), Luc Besson (screenplay)

Stars:

Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, Rosanna Arquette

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rosanna Arquette	...	Johana
Jean-Marc Barr	...	Jacques Mayol
Jean Reno	...	Enzo Molinari
Paul Shenar	...	Dr. Laurence
Sergio Castellitto	...	Novelli
Jean Bouise	...	Uncle Louis
Marc Duret	...	Roberto
Griffin Dunne	...	Duffy
Andréas Voutsinas	...	Priest (as Andreas Voutsinas)
Valentina Vargas	...	Bonita
Kimberly Beck	...	Sally (as Kimberley Beck)
Patrick Fontana	...	Alfredo
Alessandra Vazzoler	...	La Mamma
Geoffrey Carey	...	Supervisor (as Geoffroy Carey)
Bruce Guerre-Berthelot	...	Young Jacques

Storyline

Enzo and Jacques have known each other for a long time. Their friendship started in their childhood days in the Mediterranean. They were not real friends in these days, but there was something they both loved and used to do the whole day long: diving. One day Jacques' father, who was a diver too, died in the Mediterranean sea. After that incident Enzo and Jacques lost contact. After several years, Enzo and Jacques had grown up, Johanna, a young clerk in an insurance office, has to go to Peru. There she meets Jacques who is being studied by a group of scientists. He dives for some minutes into ice-cold water and the scientists monitor his physical state that is more like a dolphin than human. Johanna can not believe what she sees and gets very interested in Jacques but she's unable to get acquainted with him. Some weeks later back in her office, she finds out that Jacques will be competing in a diving championship that takes place in Taormina, Sicily. In order to see Jacques again she ...

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Plot Keywords:

dolphin | sea | deep sea diving | accidental death | drowning | 

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Taglines:

Danger...Like Passion...Runs Deep

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and language

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French English Italian

Release Date:

19 August 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Big Blue

Filming Locations:

Ios Island, Greece

Box Office

Budget:

FRF 80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,234, 16 July 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,500,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont,Les Films du Loup

Technical Specs

Runtime:

168 min (director's cut) 132 min (original cut) 118 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Color:

Black and White Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The stranded ship where Enzo rescues the diver is named "Olympia" and is still there in Amorgos, Greece.

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Goofs

When Jacques jumps into the sea the night after the competition, it's clearly dark. Later one, when playing with a dolphin underwater, it's clearly bright outside, and then dark again when he's seen from outside the water again.

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Quotes

[Enzo pulls out a cigarette inside of a diving bell]
Noireuter: Smoking is absolutely forbidden.
Enzo: It isn't lit yet.
Noireuter: You shouldn't even carry cigarettes on board.
Enzo: Listen, we're not supposed to piss either, but it doesn't stop you from carrying "it" on board.

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Alternate Versions

The original 119 minute U.S. version was rated "PG-13" and was edited to earn a "PG" rating for its release. It was restored to 168 minutes in 2000 and the restored version was rated "R" by the MPAA.

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Connections

Referenced in Paap (2003)

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Soundtracks

MY LADY BLUE
Lyrics by Luc Besson
Composed by Éric Serra
Performed by Éric Serra

User Reviews

Cult Movies 47

47. THE BIG BLUE (adv.-romance, 1988) Mayol (Jean-Marc Barr) is determined to dethrone current world-free diving champion Enzo (Jean Reno). Childhood friends, they share a fierce rivalry that, nonetheless, has kept their friendship alive. Both of them share an almost spiritual affinity with the sea, especially Mayol who lost his father. His love for his sport, however, is put on hold when he meets Joanna (Rosanna Arquette). But as Mayol and Enzo's competition become more fierce, Joanna slowly feels herself drifting away from Mayol, as his fascination with the sea takes on an obsessive turn.

Critique: Marvelouslly filmed underwater adventure from master-Frenchman Luc Besson, who has specialized on action films. This is his most personal work to date, thus taking on a uniquely surreal quality. The exquisite camera-work is very special, at times almost documentary in quality.

This mix of 'art' cinematography and romance made it a big money earner all over Europe but, not surprisingly, only gained critical acclaim elsewhere. Adding to its failure is a somewhat downbeat ending that, I think, complements the film's mythic storyline.

Besson's 'epic masterpiece' has yet to reach many viewers who would embrace his visionary talents.