Calme blanc

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!

A terrific thriller set on the sea with three fine actors portraying characters of control, resurrection, and unbalance. Sam Neil portrays the fearless, in control naval captain. His abilities combined with the institution of marriage display a refine existence. Compare Neil's abilities with Billy Zane's self induced party boy image who survives by the primitive nature of man and you will see structure verses chaos. Zane's character is sexy and alluring therefore irresistible to sexual stimuli. Nicole Kidman is faced with recovering from the loss of her child; shown, in the start of the film, being thrown out of the front of a car windshield. There, in the dead calm of an open sea, she must resurrect her abilities of courage and strength. She faces off the unbalanced nature of Zane's character using her sexual allure as well but in a very different capacity. It is all about survival using the tools given to you and the tools you acquire. A brilliant thriller set in one location. Directed with sexual tension. ***

Dead Calm is one of those rare thrillers with good acting, suspense and great setting. The ocean setting really makes this film, as well as the 2 boats. Kidman is a realistic and resourceful character and because the film had only 3 main characters throughout the whole movie, you go through the same emotions the actors do in the film. The ending seemed tacked on, but because the whole film is so good, the ending doesn't hurt nor help the film. Well paced, acted and overall great movie. 9/10

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

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.