Review of The Deep Blue Sea (1994) by Thomas W — 27 Mar 2012
Esquire got it right with calling The Deep Blue Sea a "Swoon of a Film". It is a dizzying swoon about the romantic folly of uppercrust Brit, Hester Collyer, in 1950's London beautifully and heartbreakingly played out by Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener, My Blueberry Nights, The Fountain) who feels trapped in a rather loveless marriage to the much older magistrate Sir William (Simon Russell Beale - My Week With Marilyn, Orlando) while she becomes enthralled with a passion for the younger Royal Air Force fighter pilot, Freddy (Tom Hiddleston - War Horse, Thor, The Avengers).
Hester is warned that "passion leads to ugly things" but there is nothing ugly onscreen here -- with muted, rich colors, fine actors and a stringed orchestral score of foreboding moods and longing love -- The Deep Blue Sea is a nicely structured film from seasoned director Terence Davies (The House of Mirth, Of Time and the City).
There are some wonderfully -- and I hate the overuse of this word (and I am still using it) -- epic scenes of romance on display in the film such as a pub scene turning into a heartwrenchingly gorgeous shot of two lovers dancing and being totally in love with the moment (as was I -- tears streamed).
The film is quite artful and won't be for everyone ... just as Hester is also criticized for being "cultural" I think that could describe this film. Her character didn't see the word as slight and nor do I .
.. but I am sure it could give off the feel of being pretentious as our actors have an ability to over-emote/act at times ... although this is told from the mind/memory of a suicidally (not a spoiler) desperate lover (which means the over-acting is her viewpoint and therefore acceptable).
If the Oscars were held today -- Weisz would walk away with her second Oscar; but I doubt she's remembered come Oscar time even IF she is that good. We don't often see films like this one ... and I found it to be a rare treasure.
(this is not to be mistaken for the 1999 similarly named film featuring sharks!).
This review of The Deep Blue Sea (1994) was written by Thomas W on 27 Mar 2012.
The Deep Blue Sea has generally received positive reviews.
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