Open Water

Cast: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein, Estelle Lau, Michael E. Williamson, Cristina Zenarro, John Charles
Director: Chris Kentis
Writer: Chris Kentis
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Rated: M low level coarse language, nudity
Running Time: 80 Minutes

Based On True Events

Synopsis:
Based on true events, 'Open Water' follows an American couple, Daniel and Susan (Daniel Travis and Blanchard Ryan) on an island holiday. Upon arrival at their hotel, we learn that Daniel and Susan's relationship is under strain from their workaholic lifestyles, and they need a vacation more than they realised.

The next morning, the loving and rested couple, certified scuba divers, board a local dive boat for an underwater tour of the reef. The boat is crowded with other vacationers, and due to a series of innocent miscommunications and a distracted crew, the couple is, after only 40 minutes or so underwater, accidentally left behind.

What follows is the story of their ordeal: cold, alone, and miles from land, the couple is adrift in shark infested waters.

My Verdict:
Australian audiences will be able to identify with 'Open Water', to a certain degree. Being an island where most of the population lives along the coast, most of us know the pleasures of the ocean. Along with the pleasures are the perils - including sharks. Every year there are shark attacks around the country and it is for this reason that many people won't even venture out past knee deep, and with good reason. With this fear in mind, fear is a key factor in 'Open Water'.

As Susan and Daniel are left behind in an endless ocean from their underwater dive, fear creeps into their minds. Just how long are they going to be left? How long before whatever it was that brushed their leg actually attacks them? Bobbing up and down in a monotonous ocean, fear is what actually motivates them to try to resolve their situation. If they stay where they are, will they be rescued? Along with fear, abandonment is the other key factor in Susan and Daniel's situation. Their already strained relationship is really tested in these uncertain waters and now they can add fear and abandonment to it. Throughout 'Open Water' there is a continual build-up of tension that is occasionally relieved by some witty dialogue from Daniel or Susan, so much so that there were audible laughs from the audience, but these are probably more likely to be nervous laughs as we look at Daniel and Susan and be grateful that it's not us in the water. Daniel and Susan slowly bait each other with blame and even manage to reach a point where Susan decides that she will give Daniel the silent treatment.

Now and again a shark fin appears above the water line and then disappears. And then it happens again. And again. Thankfully, the sharks used in the film are all real, and were shot with the actors in the water and the sharks actually swimming around them, not added later using CGI. Much of the film is shot using a handicam, which really lends itself to the 'holiday' aspect of Susan and Daniel's situation. Over and over again the pressure that the situation leaves Daniel and Susan in is shown and is very distressing to them and the viewer. 'Open Water' is a chilling, taut thriller that keeps you guessing right until the final scene and may make you re-think your next dive in the ocean.

Rating : A

Christina Bruce