The Big Blue (1988)

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.

Besson did a superb job on "The Big Blue." Directing and writing was spot on and everything gelled perfectly. Very good use of hidden text. Varini captured awesome camera angles with many difficult shots. He and Besson were able to make use of the under-water scenes to give the haunting effect needed for the story line.As for the music, well Bill Conti, can I say any more? It moved the story forward at the right pace. Reno did probably his best acting. Besson and Reno also teamed up in "Leon" bringing out the same lonely character bent upon perfection of his art. Barr, his quiet presence, dominated the emotional scenes and acquired the effect desired upon the audience.Arquette was beautiful and entertaining. She brought the audience to fall in love with Barr at the same time.The ending leaves you wondering and looking for something that so many of us seek, but few of us ever find. I never tire of watching this masterpiece. Bravo! Chris Prochownik

Wow! The reviews really do vary here and I notice that the best reviews seem to start at the beginning of this thread, the worse at the end. This explains a lot, and having watched yesterday what is one of my favourite films, I think I can answer why: for someone watching this film today, you'll find that the acting (particularly Arquette's shocking performance) is over the top and dated. It's a shame that this film has not lasted as well as it could have with a better female lead (however you could say it was down to bad directing). Anyway, that's the bad part.The good part is that this is a special film, in places it's very moving and anyone with a connection to the sea will immediately understand this film, and where the director is taking us. I myself grew up as a child on a Greek Island and spent every day of my childhood diving and fishing - each time I watch this film it takes me back to a special time and place and I can relate to the two main characters.If you're looking for a fast-paced action or comedy then this isn't for you. If you want to shut yourself off from the world, and immerse yourself in an underwater paradise with a touching and humorous storyline then you'll love it.The beginning part of the film is shot on the small Greek Island of Amorgos. It's a stunning Island and if you ever visit you can go to the Monastery built into the mountain, visit the shipwreck and there's also a small bar called 'The Big Blue' which also plays this film EVERY night!

At first, the reason why I chose to watch this film was the beautiful movie poster that was portrayed like a commercial advertisement about the sea made by a travel agency. No wonder the poster was nominated as a Best Poster Award at the Cesar Awards France in 1989.Luc Besson is a great director. In this film he didn't disappoint me at all. He became a household name in the same year. This story is based on his childhood dream. Due to his parents who worked as diving instructors, he dreamed of being a dolphin trainer. He grew up near the shore of the Mediterranean. This experience affected the movie a lot and made the unbelievable atmosphere. In the last scene with a dolphin, he put an extraordinary visual element into the movie. And also the soundtrack is one of the wonderful aspects in this movie.The music deserved to get a Cesar Award as a best sound in 1989.Johana (Rosanna Arquette), Jacques (Jean-Mark Barr), Enjo (Jean Reno) are the 3 main characters who conflict emotions with each other and lead the story to the end. The dolphins and the ocean are also the main elements to understand Jacques who is going through mental problem caused by his father's death. He looks lonesome but composed. He needs friends to share his dreams and worries with, but once somebody gets close to him, he runs away from them and goes to the water and dolphins. He doesn't seem to know how to get along with people. On the contrast dolphins look like his sole friends. Jacques and Enjo are childhood friends but also rivals in many ways. If Enjo devotes all his energies to diving so as to access to success and glory, the sea is more than this for Jacques. He was born with it, and the sea will lead him to death. When his rival Enjo dies at the competition, he is in agony and sends him to the sea where he loves. The ocean means all this to Jacques. I'm scared to be in the dark like in the deep dark ocean, but Jacques looks very comfortable and happy with dolphins under the deep dark ocean. The calm and peaceful music makes the scenes under the water astonishing. Music and his move with dolphins make a good combination. Johana is quite logical and sensible as a magazine reporter but she is getting emotional and feels sorry for Jacques. That makes her hard to concentrate on her job about the divers. But she can't help it but falls in love with him.If you're a big fan of Hollywood theatrical releases, you might not love it with no action, no chases, no dangerous cliffhangers, no guns and no explosions. It doesn't even has bad guys. It's more than a love story, or a friendship. You'll be happy when Jacques and Johanna finally love each other, you feel how the ocean is beautiful and peaceful when Jacques dives with the dolphins and you'll cry with Johanna when he doesn't come back. And yes, for him, it's the best of endings, because he doesn't belong here, he really belongs more to the sea than to us.This film is quite different from Hollywood movies, but there are some aspects to attract us to watch more than once. You can think about your life, love and family. It'll help you understand other European movies also.