Open Water (2004)

2 out of 4

Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis

Director: Chris Kentis

Time: 79 mins

Viewed: in home theatre

Interesting premise (based on the true story of a scuba diving couple who disappeared in Australia's Great Barrier Reef) has yuppies Ryan and Travis on a harried vacation being left behind during an organised dive. Soon they're menaced by sharks and other sea creatures, even as they comfort and bicker with each other. Documentary-like feel and use of no-name actors lends some realism, but in the end the movie amounts to little. A hit at the Sundance film festival.

(c) Joe Wong (22 January 2005)