Open Water Review

Written by: alex1176   

"Open Water" plays like a Discovery Channel horror film, if there ever was one. Released in Aug. 2004 (in the US) through Lions Gate Films, the movie was touted as being "The Blair Witch Project" meets "Jaws". Unfortunately, the extremely low-budget look and minimal acting recalls a porno film at the beginning. Seriously. However, it's only a distraction momentarily. The film is very simple. It's about a yuppy couple who go on a scuba diving trip in the Caribbean only to be forgotten and left behind in the ocean by their peers. How would you like to be in that situation?

You would think the idea of being forgotten by 18 other divers (in a small boat) would be utter rubbish. A head count error seems to be uncredible. However, it really did happen as the screenplay was inspired by a real story of an American couple who got left behind during a diving trip in 1998. Like "Paranormal Activity", the movie is an exercise in minimalist filmmaking. Once the divers are stranded, nothing much happens. Only what really would happen, does happen. Susan gets nausea due to the constant movement due to the waves, while Daniel is bit by a shark. They're both stung by jellyfish at one point. And then a lightning storm appears during the evening. None of it is really exciting to watch, but the idea of being in their shoes is what makes the scenario really nightmarish. How would you like to be stranded in the ocean, floating above hungry sharks with only one other person beside you?

If you liked "Jaws" or "Paranormal Activity", than you'll probably like "Open Water". It's not a great film; I didn't like the acting and some parts are too slow, but as a fictional "home movie", it provides a decent viewing.