Already creating controversy as to whether or not Open Water is truly “based on true events” the film certainly has a creepy satisfaction about it, and through the use of handheld digital cameras they certainly manage to bring the horror of battling the Open Water into the theater.
As far as the “true events” portion of the story goes the idea for Open Water came from a news event writer/director Chris Kentis found in dive magazines and newsletters a few years ago centering around divers who had been stranded in the open ocean.
Kentis, a scuba diver himself, researched the incident and learned that though it is very rare, other similar incidents had in fact occurred. No attempt was made to portray the real individuals involved in the ordeal making Open Water strictly fictional in its story.
But don’t let that distort your view of the film, despite the minuscule budget, which allowed them no room for special effects Open Water finds its actors immersed in frigid waters filled with 45-50 real sharks that were manipulated as shark experts threw chunks of bloody tuna into the water, often near the actors.
Actors Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis playing husband and wife, Susan and Daniel, are the actors in question and are on an island holiday in search of escape from there busy lives. Unfortunately their trip soon turns disastrous as they board a local dive boat for an underwater tour of the reef, and due to a series of innocent miscommunications, the couple is, after only 40 minutes or so underwater, accidentally left behind.
When the movie first started I was distracted by the quality of the picture and the poor acting both actors seemed to be showing but as the terror level was raised so were the performances. Although the film is never really able to draw you completely in at 79 minutes it certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome.
With a spectacularly unexpected ending Open Water manages to turn itself from your average small-budget film into a satisfying thrill ride that is not for the sea weary.
