Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Robert Carlyle | ... | Rob Morrison | |
Jessalyn Gilsig | ... | Samantha 'Sam' Morrison | |
Tom Courtenay | ... | Prof. Leonard Morrison | |
Joanne Whalley | ... | Patricia Nash | |
David Suchet | ... | Deputy Prime Minister Campbell | |
Nigel Planer | ... | Keith Hopkins | |
Ralph Brown | ... | Neil Stafford | |
Gottfried John | ... | Arthur Moyes | |
Tom Hardy | ... | Zak | |
Pip Torrens | ... | Army Liaison Officer Richardson | |
Susan Wooldridge | ... | Penny | |
David Hayman | ... | Major General Ashcroft | |
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Martin Ball | ... | Wyatt |
Poppy Miller | ... | Nikki Fuller | |
Peter Wight | ... | Johnson - Transport Chief |
Timely, yet terrifying, this movie predicts the unthinkable. When a raging storm coincides with high seas it unleashes a colossal tidal surge, which travels mercilessly down England's East Coast and into the Thames Estuary. Overwhelming the Barrier, torrents of water pour into the city. The lives of millions of Londoners are at stake. Top marine engineers and barrier experts Robert Morrison (Robert Carlyle), his ex-wife Samantha "Sam" Morrison (Jessalyn Gilsig), and his father Professor Leonard Morrison (Sir Tom Courtenay), have only a few hours to save the city from total devastation. A real probability in a real location. It is not a question of if, but when London floods. Written by Jonathan Rutter / Matthew Sanders
The production values for this film make it fall short of Hollywood blockbuster status, and the script makes it fall short of cult status. What is left is a tired formulaic attempt at the disaster movie genre that will disappear with the ebb tide.
A decent cast, are either miss cast, or cannot be bothered.The beautiful Joanne Whalley is unable to bring any gravitas to the role of Police Commissioner Nash who wears the most irritating matching waist clincher above her skirt.
Jessalyn Gilseg plays the heavyweight part of Director of the Thames Barrier with all the conviction of a fairground candy floss. Her Canadian nationality and accent were presumably drafted in to appeal to a transatlantic audience. It, and she, fails.Her initial appearance in a tight fitting pink jogging suit as she arrives at work is risible.
The part of the "Siren old git who was right" is played by Tom Courtenay as though he is acting in his sleep, and the various plot twists that are designed to energise his son, played by Robert Carlyle, struggle to get any response from him.
Nigel Planer looks determined to commit ritual hari kari for his failings as Met Office Director, or for his acting, or both, and only David Suchet emerges with some credit for his role as Deputy PM.
There was enough in the story, and the cast and the effects to have produced a decent effort. Alas that did not happen.