Oil on Water (2007) Poster

(2007)

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1/10
An embarrassment
ian-26217 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Sadly this movie is truly atrocious. The script is appalling, with a very weak story, dragged to the bottom by poor dialogue. Unfortunately the lead actors are so poor that they cannot even make normal dialogue sound real, let alone deal with the turgid, drunken student philosophizing that constitutes a good deal of the dialogue. They look and sound like people reading lines, not actors acting. And ultimately the blame for this mess falls on the shoulders of the producer and the director. The former for failing to get a decent script and the latter for not even managing to get something believable from the actors. This movie should be shown at every film school as an example of bad writing, terrible acting and how to completely fail as a producer or director.
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8/10
Excellent movie. Amazing cinematography.
ulrich-679-6188637 May 2013
Oil on Water is a sensitively made film about mental illness. The story is well told, although a bit slow at times, but the cinematography and the artistic treatment is exceptional. The insight into schizophrenia is horrifying and a real eye-opener.

Artistically this fine film has a feeling of being "painted!" The art direction is impeccable. The cinematography is breathtaking.

Schizophrenia is a real illness that so many have to deal with every day. This movie is a reminder of that and thought provoking.

Oil on Water is truly beautiful, profoundly moving, and an incredible work of art. This film should be watched by all who have been affected by, or know people, with a mental illness.
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9/10
Amazing Insight into Schizophrenia
mangoes-679-1984368 May 2013
It's no surprise that this film won awards for best feature film at various prestigious film festivals around the world, nor that the lead actor and actress were recognized at these film festivals for their portrayal of a man suffering from Schizophrenia and his partner. These two, as well as the supporting cast give outstanding performances. The emotion with which they tell the story captures the viewer with it's rawness.

The story itself is chilling and really brings the viewer face to face with a reality of which many people are unaware. The honest way in which Schizophrenia is portrayed may make some feel slightly uncomfortable but it is this honesty that gives the film its power.

The cinematography is stunning and the score haunting. This is a film that you can't easily forget. I found myself mulling over the characters and themes for days after watching it.
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8/10
Beautiful artistic film
teniel13 May 2013
Oil on water is a beautiful, artistic film about a couple living in South Africa dealing with mental illness. Overall it is a beautifully written story about love and losing yourself to your own mind.

The cinematography is amazing, showing the emotions the characters are feeling in every shot. While the acting is somewhat weak compared to international films, it still does justice to the story and when you get into the story you completely forget that it is a South African film.

Beautiful and definitely recommended to educate audiences on love and schizophrenia.
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