Open Water

"Open Water" was not as exciting as I had expected it to be.

The story is simple. A young couple (Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis), struggling to keep their marriage afloat, take a vacation to get away from work and, hopefully, to strengthen their marriage. Their problems become much bigger when their scuba expedition boat accidentally leaves them behind, abandoned in the ocean. It's at this point that the movie becomes interesting. Neither we nor they are sure of what is swimming below them. Jelly fish sting, barracuda bite, but it's the shark fins that truly frighten.

In one sense "Open Water" is similar to "Castaway", as we witness the emotional highs, lows, and extreme lows of two people coming to terms with their predicament. At the same time, where we cared about Tom Hanks' character in his movie, we don't know enough about the young couple to feel truly connected. Ryan and Travis are very convincing throughout the film, with Ryan adding emotional weight while Travis provides ironic levity. I also felt a little voyeuristic, as the hand-held camera effects and the no-name actors made this feel as if I was watching somebody's home video instead of a movie production.

"Open Water" has convinced me to never go scuba diving, but it failed in providing thrills and chills. I give it a B.

"Open Water" is rated R with a running time of 79 minutes.