Dead in the Water (2002) Reviews

• A disturbing little hidden treasure, not for everyone, but you may like it

  lemon_magic2005-03-19

  I see a lot of conflicting opinions about "Dead In The Water", which doesn't surprise me. I think the filmmakers actually succeeded in making the movie they set out to make, but the film they wanted to make is pretty "noir" and cynical in its approach, and will definitely not appeal to many people. James Cain would feel right at home with a story like this, as would Cornell Woolrich and Jim Thompson. James Ridley might write a story like this, or Lawrence Block in one of his grimmer moods. I caught DITW on cable late one night - the title pulled me in, and while the plot and the characters and the dialog were irritating enough to make me change the channel repeatedly, it was still the most interesting thing going on at that hour and I kept coming back to it (a bit like drinking Everclear or poking at a scab). Then it appeared again a couple of nights later, and I decided to make myself sit all the way through it to see what the deal was and why it hacked me off but made me want to watch it. Here's my conclusion: There's a certain morbid fascination with a film like this, as things go from OK, to bad, to worse, to awful, to screamingly awful to over-the-top lunacy by small steps, with each step inexorably developing from the previous one and driven by the logic of the situation and the moral bankruptcy of the characters. And there's a perverse glee and relief in seeing such attractive/social elite young people (who would normally stare right through you at the airport as they bopped along to their next fabulous resort stay) start to act like human hyenas as they grow more and more desperate. So if you like stories where people screw up big time and prove once again that humans are no damn good, this is the movie for you. Soccer moms and other faithful subcribers to the Disney Worldview should stay far, far away. Kudos to the four actors for fine jobs in carrying out the director's vision; also, as other reviewers have noticed, beautiful soundtrack and great photography.

• Tension on the High Seas

  claudio_carvalho2007-11-04

  In Rio de Janeiro, Gloria (Dominique Swain) is an ambitious young woman, whose father (José WIlker) is bankrupted. When the son of his business partner, Marcos (Sebastian DeVicente), arrives in Rio, her father asks Gloria to have a trip with him in their boat Boa Vida. Gloria, her boyfriend Danny (Scott Bairstow) and their common friend Jeff (Henry Thomas) get Marcos in his hotel and they go to Angra dos Reis. While in the sea, they drink Caipirinha and beer, and Gloria flirts with the wealthy Marcos. The jealous Danny sees they kissing each other, throws Marcos in the water with a lifebuoy and drives the boat to a distant island to scare Marcos. However, they have a problem with the propellers and when they return to the spot, they do not find Marcos anymore. Afraid of the consequences of his possible drowning, they discuss alibis and how to resolve the situation, shattering their relationship in an environment of high-tension and selfishness. "Dead in the Water" is an amoral tale of ambition, selfishness and greed based on three shallow characters: Gloria is an ambitious and amoral young woman, having the behavior of a slut and capable of teasing three young men looking for the best one to support her; Danny is a loser posing of executive but incapable of taking reasonable attitudes or decisions; and Jeff, who stays close to Gloria and Danny not for friendship or loyalty, but because he wants to stay with Gloria. The final twist is very ironical and suitable for this reasonable film. My vote is six. Title (Brazil): "Tensão em Alto-Mar" ("Tension on the High Seas")

• A Disturbing Film

  NewBeanz2003-02-21

  Beautiful Cinematography and great Brazilian music. This is what this movie seems to be about for the first 20 minutes. But it's not, it's about good actors and a good plot... It may seem to go a bit slow at times but it's only 90 min or less... And the end will certainly get you thinking about it for days... 6/10

• clever, thoughtful thriller

  allene2001-11-20

  Dead in the Water is a very auspicious debut by first time director/writer Gustavo Lipsztein, a Brazilian born film-maker with a Hollywood sensibility. While the film works well as a thoroughly entertaining thriller, it also plays as a morality tale. The three American protagonists ultimately care only about one thing -- themselves. When confronted with a situation for which they are not prepared, they come unglued because they have no value system to fall back on. They are eaten alive by their own narcissism. Well-paced, well-acted, beautifully shot, this is new movie you definitely want to see and new director you definitely want to take note of.

• A surprising tale of what can happen when you least expect it!

  vonpaulus2001-10-16

  This film takes place in Rio, Brazil. Four young people are having fun on a boat outside the city. Something happens and one of the members is thrown off. The others race away just to have their little revenge. But the unexpected happens, the boat brakes down and when they finally reach back to pick up the fourth member he is nowhere to be found. This results in a feud between the other three with a shocking ending! A terrific tale which almost everyone can relate to one way or the other. Good cast and good performance by the actors.