Dead Calm

After reading the plot for Dead Calm I was expecting an edge-of-your-seat boat massacre thriller, and in a sense that's exactly what Dead Calm is. I was always on the edge of my seat, anxious to know what would happen next and terrified for the characters in their respective situations, but there was much less violence than I was expecting. And I'm not complaining. Most of the violence is implied rather than shown, and the movie not only deals with physical abuse but emotional and mental abuse as well. The story is basically that this couple goes out to sea on a getaway to forget about a recent tragedy, and while they're out in the middle of the ocean they encounter a strange boat and a strange man who claims that his crew was killed by food poisoning. The way the pieces come together is very satisfying, especially when the truth slowly reveals itself and both the husband and wife are going through equally scary dilemmas as this stranger is roaming freely around their boat.

The acting is really what sells this movie. A boat movie with only three characters can get boring quickly, but thanks to the cast, I was totally in it. Sam Neil is separated from the others for a good amount of the film, but when he needs to shine, he does. The anchors of this movie are Nicole Kidman and Billy Zane. Kidman is excellent as the emotionally distraught wife who is doing everything she can to keep it together while desperately trying outsmart the stranger. Billy Zane had me worried for a bit - I could tell he was acting, and at times he was a bit cartoonish, but by the end you come to realize that the character is an absolute nutcase so his erratic acting makes sense. You're not sure if he's just a guy who had a rough week, or a sympathetic victim of circumstance, or a straight up maniacal psychopath. This uncertainty helps keep the thriller afloat (yeah) and keeps you anxious to see whatever happens next.

The only real complaint I have about Dead Calm is that it does get a little slow at times. It's very atmospheric and moody for a majority of the film and there's no problem with that, but I couldn't help but be distracted during some of the longer quiet moments. Regardless, it all builds up to the movie's exciting climax which doesn't disappoint. The music is great as well - haunting and subtle. Keep in mind Dead Calm is not a jump-scare type of horror thriller. It's slow-paced, grounded and completely plausible, which for me is the scariest kind.

In Dead Calm, we get Sam Neill (before Jurassic Park), Nicole Kidman (before Days of Thunder), and Billy Zane (way before Titanic) in an aquatic thriller. The premise is set up well - a vacationing couple (John & Rae, the Ingrams, after the death of their son in a road accident) on a yacht ends up saving a man from a supposedly sinking ship, far far away from shore. The man (Zane plays Hughie) has some secrets (and creepy traits) that he hides until a pivotal moment arrives.

What's so good about Dead Calm is not its plot - it's the wonderful oceanic cinematography by Dean Semler. The performances too, are first-rate. The storytelling tries to balance John's struggles to survive as the Ingrams get separated, and Rae's personal battle with Hughie on the yacht as he tries to overpower her. John's scenes (with zero dialogue) on the ship are more thrilling than what happens aboard the Ingrams' yacht. As the antagonist, Zane was awkwardly creepy at times and laughably funny at others.

There's also the incoherent twist at the end, which was completely unnecessary. In this case, I'd have preferred the ambiguity. Nonetheless, it's a neat watch for the solid performances and some deliciously packed thrills.

This great suspense, thriller will have you gripping your seat in every scene. I'm serious. It is one of those that never lets its pace slow down. The realistic plot keeps you thinking, What if that happened to me?, also its not far fetched at all, every scene is acted and directed in a very realistic way, unlike other suspense films which like to stray from reality. The excellent acting, direction and the nail-biting music score keep you tangled up in the suspense filled story, you look past it's minor flaws. It is one of those movies you don't forget. Definitely a must see. Grab onto the arm-rest of your couch before you fall overboard, it's intense. ***1/2 out of ****

I was most inspired to check this out knowing it was Nicole Kidman's breakthrough performance. Once you get into the movie it somehow feels like a cross between Event Horizon and, like, Titanic, but in the form of a 90's style thriller, which I suppose you have to give it a little extra credit for considering it's from 1989, so the vibe probably played a part in inspiring some of the vibe of 90's films.

Halfway through, I wasn't sure I was going to be a fan of this movie, but the last half hour hits in just the right ways to the extent that it makes the whole movie worthwhile. It's why thrillers are called thrillers - it's thrilling as hell. Up until those satisfying scenes, it just felt like an extremely formulaic experience - and Billy Zane is kind of a hard sell. Zane is, at least bizarre - as usual. His energy is always jarring but I feel like it's most jarring when it's not supposed to be, less so when it is. Kidman definitely steals the show but all three leads have strong enough presences to round the movie out well. I also enjoyed the somewhat zany music score - felt very Australian.

This is a quick, painless viewing so there's no point not to see it if you're interested in 80's/90's thrillers or curious to see where Kidman and Zane had their beginnings. Solid flick!

I've seen this several times over the years, and I must say this is a really good thriller. It always keeps me interested. Also, since I'm interested in the sea and ships, that's probably part of the reason why I like the movie so much.

A young Nicole Kidman plays Rae, the wife of John Ingram (Sam Neill), who are taking a sailing trip in the Pacific after losing their only son in an automobile accident. They are having fun sailing through the ocean when they come to a sinking schooner with a man paddling frantically towards their boat in a lifeboat. The man, Hughie Warriner (Billy Zane), turns out to be a crazed lunatic, and when John goes off to check the schooner, Hughie kidnaps his wife and his ship. They are in the fight of their life.

Nicole Kidman is both beautiful and talented. She doesn't say much in the movie, but her expressions and actions are well portrayed. Billy Zane is a convincing psychopath and Sam Neill is a good actor also. The cinematography is great and the scenery is really beautiful. The only real problem with the movie is the plot.

The movie's conflict could've easily been resolved had it not been for stupid mistakes. The script relies too heavily on these stupid mistakes. Nicole's character gets numerous chances to kill the psychopath, but she never takes them. And anyone in their right mind wouldn't leave their wife with a stranger to check out a strange ship. The characters' lack of common sense is really what keeps the story moving.

But, these plot holes can be forgiven. The acting is great, the direction is great, the cinematography is great. The script could've used more work, but that is forgivable. If you enjoy thrillers or are interested in the sea and ships, I suggest you check this movie out. You won't be disappointed.

Rating: 8/10