Review of The Weight of Water (2001) by Carmen C — 25 Sep 2010

I had never heard of this film (or the book it was adapted from) and I don't usually get excited about seeing Sean Penn much these days. It showed up on HBO so I put it on the DVR to watch later. Imagine my surprise that I enjoyed it so much, especially the true story it incorporates into the plot (of an 1873 murder on the Isles of Shoals).

I still found Penn annoying (and grossly miscast) but thought Sarah Polley and Catherine McCormack were utteraly fantastic. Josh Lucas was underused (and his character flimsy) and Elizabeth Hurley played her usual booby-girl but the rest of the supporting cast was top-notch.

Don't let this under-appreciated gem in the Bigelow canon go unwatched. It'll surprise you!