Review of The Weight of Water (2001) by Suzanne O — 01 Aug 2013

I have unquestioning faith in Sean Penn's ability to choose his roles diversively and passionately, despite wastes like Gangster Squad, and it was for this reason, and for Bigelow's direction, that I decided to watch The Weight of Water.

I was disappointed. I think the film suffered from Better-As-A-Book syndrome, which is to say that the only aspect that was immersive and fascinating, other than Elizabeth Hurley's body, was the actual plot, which relates a ghastly, lust-filled double murder to a "Knife in the Water"-esque sailing trip between two brothers and their respective female companions.

This could work as a film, much like Kenneth Branagh's Dead Again, which also relates an old murder to a modern love story. However, Bigelow doesn't seem to know how to amalgamate the two plot lines very smoothly.

The transitions seem awkward and ill-placed. Worst of all, the performances, much to my surprise, were lackluster and uninspired.