Susan Granger’s review of “Open Water” (Lions Gate Films)
Remember how you were hesitant to go swimming after you saw “Jaws”? That could happen to scuba-divers after viewing the harrowing dilemma of a couple abandoned several miles out at sea while scuba-diving on a Caribbean island holiday. It’s every diver’s worst nightmare! Stressed-out Susan and Daniel are bickering workaholics who have carved out time for a much-needed tropical vacation. One morning, they schedule a dive trip and join a group of 20 board the Reef Explorer. Soon, they’re in their wetsuits and jumping into the water at the Magic Kingdom site for what should be a 35 min. dive. Unfortunately, they miscalculate time and surface after their boat has departed. The confused guide apparently miscounted his passengers, believing that everyone was on-board. And so their ordeal begins. “What if they don’t know we’re missing?” is quickly followed by “Is that a shark?” Hours pass. They’re thirsty, hungry, exhausted and cold. The danger of their complete isolation increases as their fragility becomes more and more apparent. Tension thickens until it’s almost unbearable. And then the predators arrive. Inspired by a true incident that happened off Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, independent filmmaker Chris Kentis and his wife, Laura Lau, have created a white-knuckle cinematic experience, filmed on digital video with no special effects or computer-generated images. Indeed, actors Blanchard Ryan (Susan) and Daniel Travis (Daniel) spent over 120 risky hours in the water amidst all kinds of sea life, including real-life barracudas, jellyfish and sharks. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Open Water” is a chilling, psychologically intense 8. Despite its low-budget, it’s undoubtedly the most terrifying film of the summer!
