Open Water (2003)

Based on the true story of two scuba divers accidentally stranded in shark infested waters after their tour boat has left.

Director:

Chris Kentis

Writer:

Chris Kentis

Stars:

Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Blanchard Ryan	...	Susan Watkins
Daniel Travis	...	Daniel Kintner
Saul Stein	...	Seth
Michael E. Williamson	...	Davis (as Michael Williamson)
Cristina Zenato	...	Linda (as Cristina Zenaro)
John Charles	...	Junior (as Jon Charles)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Estelle Lau	...	Estelle

Storyline

A couple on a holiday in the Caribbean decide to spend the day on a scuba diving trip. But was it the wrong decision? When a mis-count happens on the boat, Susan and Daniel are left behind in the middle of the ocean, the boat long gone. With all their hopes set on the boat coming back to rescue them, they try to keep themselves safe, especially when sharks start to appear.

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Plot Keywords:

based on true story | female full frontal nudity | shark | female frontal nudity | lost at sea | 

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Taglines:

Don't get left behind

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

The school of jellyfish featured in the movie showed up on the day the crew planned to film that particular scene; it was not switched to film that scene on behalf of the jellyfish. Coincidentally, after that day, no jellyfish ever appeared on location for the whole duration of the shoot.

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Goofs

Susan and Daniel's snorkels change from the left side to the right side of their heads and back several times (divers always wear them on the left).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Daniel: [on his cellphone] Hey Don. It's Daniel. Listen, don't put the boiler in until I get back. The framing inspection isn't for a couple of weeks, so we've got plenty of time. And I'll check in with you guys in a couple of days, OK? Take care. Bye.

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Crazy Credits

As the credits roll, a fisherman guts a dead shark. As he sorts through the contents of its stomach, he finds Susan and Daniel's yellow camera.

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Connections

References Grace Quigley (1984)

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Soundtracks

Jesus Promised Me A Home Over There
Performed by Shelton Swain, Stanley Swain, Ronald Swain & George McKenzie
Courtesy of Nonesuch Records

User Reviews

Should have been shocker but turned out to be a TV docu-drama

First of all congratulations to Chris Kentis for spotting this topic and writing and directing the film. Now you can tell after praising the film maker up front the rest of this review is going to be quite critical! This film unnerved me, it made me feel uncomfortable as well and that's the problem - it should have frightened the absolute living daylights out of me! Because I rate being deserted at sea in shark-infested waters right up there in the scary-stakes with being buried alive. Now I respect Mr Kentis and his collaborators decision to tell the story in a very minimalist way, I guess they considered this story was powerful enough on its own not to require a heavy hand, and I could have agreed with them pre production. But now having seen it I don't think it was. I'm not saying they needed full on John Williams score and masses of special effects but perhaps varying the camera angles a bit more would have worked better.

Most of the story is told with the camera in an elevated position looking down on the protagonists, i.e a boat! This means I am divorced from any threat or the action. Couldn't we have got down to eye level more allowing us to feel we were more apart of the story? It was our toes about be chomped off? I'm afraid in the drama stakes this movie never got anymore dramatic than the average TV docu-drama and that's a real shame for after coming up with this concept and creating a half decent script Mr Kentis has missed an opportunity to create a classic.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 August 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Open Water

Filming Locations:

Bahamas

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,100,943, 8 August 2004

Gross USA:

$30,610,863

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$54,683,487

Company Credits

Production Co:

Plunge Pictures LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1