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The Big Blue (1988)

Director: Luc Besson

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3 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

The action centres on the rivalry between free-divers Barr and Reno - they dive deep without an aqualung - which begins when they are little boys. The first time you see someone plunging into alien blackness is exciting, but the novelty soon wears off. The first half-hour is the best part of the movie. Going through her usual kooky routine, Arquette plays a New York insurance agent who encounters Barr in Peru, and is captivated by his wide-eyed innocence (which others might describe as bovine stupidity). Her sole purpose seems to be to reassure the audience that there is nothing funny going on between best buddies Barr, who talks to dolphins, and Reno, a macho mother's boy (a performance of much comic credibility). The ending is the worst part of the movie: Barr rejects the pregnant Arquette in favour of going under one last time to become a dolphin-man. Such bathos reeks of cod-Camus. What lies in between is a series of CinemaScopic swathes of blue seas and white cliffs. Besson's film is exactly like his hero: very pretty but very silly.

Author: MS 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • darren henry said...
    Posted on Apr 12 2009 22:41 I just watched the extended version and I feel that this was the worst movie i've ever seen. Too long. Too many issues that were fully resolved and then raked over the coals again and again. It was a complete waste of time.
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  • Corbo said...
    Posted on Dec 19 2008 15:41 Essential sunday film viewing. I have the directors cut which is even longer!!!
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  • Guy said...
    Posted on Dec 04 2007 21:44 A great film: it may have some slow moments but then this film is trying to convey something about our deep desires and fears. Have you ever swum over the reef edge into the deep blue? If so, this film is for you.
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Cast & crew

Director: Luc Besson

Producer: Patrice Ledoux

Cast: Rosanna Arquette, Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, Paul Shenar, Sergio Castellitto, Jean Bouise, Griffin Dunne full cast

Duration: 119 mins


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