VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Console best movie i've ever seen.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

classicsoncall I wasn't aware of a sporting competition known as free diving until I saw this movie. I'm still a bit perplexed, because 'free diving' looked like anything but. The men who entered the ocean were transported into the depths via a device which I couldn't tell whether it was operated mechanically or by gravity. And then, it seemed like an awful lot of time was wasted by the divers at the varying checkpoints. Granted, the 'lot of time' may have only been seconds, but when you're holding your breath and not making distance, those moments would potentially translate into additional footage. So I didn't get that at all. I also didn't get the competition between the principals once it reached the stage of becoming life threatening. Jacques Mayol (Jean-Marc Barr) appeared to be the better adjusted of the two; his long time friend Enzo Molinari (Jean Reno) at a certain point appeared to exhibit a degree of mental instability with his need to be the best. I even hesitate to call the men friends, as it seemed to me that Enzo's only interest in the Frenchman was in beating him at the diving game. That early scene when they were kids suggested Enzo to be a bully for forcing Jacques to step aside for the coin. I did like the way the Padre rewarded Jacques with his own coin after all the onlookers left, that was a virtuous gesture.The relationship between Johana (Rosanna Arquette) and Jacques was another head scratcher for me. While Johana was head over heels, it seemed like Jacques couldn't care less most of the time. In the variously configured love scenes between them, check them out, they seem to be occupying positions at odds with genuine love-making. And then, for Jacques to turn his attention to a dolphin for the rest of the night, well, one might get the wrong idea.I don't know, the enthusiasm for this film from the true believers is to be admired but the picture just didn't do it for me. I really didn't get a sense of romance with the sea that Enzo and Jacques experienced, particularly when both their fates were decided by a relationship with the water. In Enzo's case, he pushed himself beyond human endurance, but with Jacques' final descent, there was an element of finality that the average person would consider irrational. And so, I did.

pmcbraz As said before, it's the Movie of a Lifetime! When years ago I discovered that Jean Reno was French and not Italian I really didn't wanted to believe! I challenge anyone to see Enzo's character and to remember that he is seeing a French actor behind that absolutely unforgettable composition. And if we join the fact that we know that the actor before making this film didn't particularly liked water (he was drowning in the filming and everything), all his work still seems more surprising because for a moment we no longer believe that this man... will not have spent his whole life under water. Jean Reno was one of those castings absolutely brilliant and defining a movie. This is one of those films where we completely forget that we are seeing actors. All the characters are so complex that in their apparent simplicity they make us forget that we are seeing a story of fiction and immerse ourselves in their universe, without questioning for seconds the real existence of those people. Especially the Italian Enzo that is to be seen to believe and defies any description because it is one of the most unforgettable characters of all time. Very well-characterized humanely and with a hilarious chemistry with his "brother" screen, "Roberto" (the actor Marc Duret) that is the perfect counterpoint for Enzo and both seem Italian gems that we do not even question for a second, When we already know that the actors are French). But this without disrespect to Rosanna Arquette or Jean Marc Barr who are absolutely brilliant as Joanna and Jacques Mayol in the way they give life to those two people who could be anyone we met on a beach near us. Jacques Mayol is the soul of the movie and we do not even have to say anything else. Joanna will probably be the best romantic female character of the 80'When years ago I discovered that Jean Reno was French and not Italian nor wanted to believe! I challenge anyone to see Enzo's character and to remember that he is seeing a French actor behind that absolutely unforgettable composition. And if we join the fact that we know that the actor before making this film nor particularly liked water (he was drowning in the filming and everything), all his work still seems more surprising because for a moment we no longer believe that this man You will not have spent your whole life under water. Jean Reno was one of those castings absolutely brilliant and defining a movie. This is one of those films where we completely forget that we are seeing actors. All the characters are so complex that in their apparent simplicity they make us forget that we are seeing a story of fiction and immerse ourselves in their universe without questioning for seconds the real existence of those people. Especially the Italian Enzo that is to be seen to believe and defies any description because it is one of the most unforgettable characters of all time. Very well-characterized humanely and with a hilarious chemistry with his "brother" screen, "Roberto" (the actor Marc Duret) that is the perfect counterpoint for Enzo and both seem Italian gems that we do not even question for a second, When we already know that the actors are French). This is without no disrespect to Rosanna Arquette or Jean Marc Barr who are absolutely brilliant as Joanna and Jacques Mayol in the way they give life to those two people who could be anyone we met on a beach near us. Jacques Mayol is the soul of the movie and we do not even have to say anything else. Joanna will probably be the best romantic female character of the 80's, precisely because neither it was imposed. the simplicity of the composition of the actress, humanized her to a point that we also completely forget the interpretation behind her work on screen. It's a must watch! And Please don't even thin seeing the American trailer, it doesn't make any sense on so ever about the true essence of history and poetry of this Film.

SnoopyStyle In 1965 Greece, Jacques Mayol and Enzo Molinari are childhood rivals in freediving. Jacques loses his father in a diving accident. In 1988 Sicily, Enzo (Jean Reno) is an arrogant diver for hire with Roberto. He wants to challenge Jacques. In Peru, insurance adjuster Johana Baker (Rosanna Arquette) visits Dr. Laurence's icy research station after an incident and falls for diver Jacques (Jean-Marc Barr). She lies to her boss Duffy (Griffin Dunne) to follow Jacques in his reunion with Enzo at the World Championship of Freediving in Sicily.I'm not sure which version I saw. I don't like the flighty Johana. I would preferred concentrating on the relationship between Jacques and Enzo. Anyways, why can't she simply be a tourist in Sicily. Her slightly off-center sensibility seems wrong. I don't like the insurance side trip and chasing a man she barely knows halfway around the globe by lying and stealing from the company. Sometimes, Luc Besson has that off-center sense of humor which usually works well with his energetic action style. This is far from an action movie. The underwater diving adds a zen quality. Jean Reno is great as usual. Jean-Marc Barr was a newbie by comparison at the time. He's a little stiff. I don't think this movie works (at least not the version I saw).

leplatypus I was 14 years when this movie engulfed a generation and I was left ashore. One year later, I tried to embark but I fainted in front of the theater desk, too much pushed by the crowd of a free movie day. A bit later, the VHS box-set was a gift to my father: all the family watched it on New Year's Day and I didn't get it except for a scene. Years later, I discovered it again and it finally talks to me.I am just totally hooked by this reunion of lost people, unfit to the real world and fascinated by the nature, the beyond and silent world. Besson depicts with great wisdom the best of friendship and the best of love. When Rosanna pushes the button to his final dive, it's the essential act of love: she doesn't like him for herself and she wants him to be happy, she loves him all, with his good and bad sides. Thus, Besson had a good hand by picking this cast: Reno has a heart as big as his height, Barr is so right being shy and dreamy and Rosanna is just incredible as a passionate lover, very fragile compared to those men but as strong as them as well. It's said that Passion is a fire, that it's pleasure and pain at the same time and each of those characters shares it dangerously. In addition, it's the only movie where nature, sea is depicted with such a gripping, compelling call.With such primitive and powerful feelings and setting, it was a challenge to score it well and Serra delivers a miracle. His soundtrack matches beautifully the frames and can be listened apart. The Peruvian tracks are deeply haunting and say it all: it's about being lost and in love...With "Titanic", this movie is just another proof that there is enchantment under the sea and i recommend everyone to dive into this big blue.