The film starts with an island view in black and white Greece. Throughout the film I encounter wonderful scenes. Blue color is peaceful and watching the endless expanse of the Mediterranean is enjoyable. I was very happy for acting.
I think that people who are interested in diving and the sea should not go on without watching. The final scene was very impressive.
It is a very beautiful film that brings happiness and sadness together.
175 Reviews
Le grand bleu: I really don't know what to make of that
Platypuschow11 September 2018
At it's peak The Big Blue reached the 96th highest rated movie on IMDb, and that is no small feat. Learning this I was further astounded that I hadn't already seen it.
French made by internationally renound director Luc Besson both as writer and director the Big Blue is a curious film that left me scratching my head yet oddly entertained.
It tells the story of two friends since childhood with a passion for competetive deep sea diving. One is the world champion, arrogant and relatively famous while the other is more reclusive, mysterious and with a certain innocence.
The two men compete against each other, constantly trying to one up the other while maintaining a loyalty and friendship. When a New York reporter begins to fall for one of the pair a story of love and friendship truly begins.
Here is the trouble though, the friendship was questionable and the love felt hugely one sided. One character was conceited while the other ignorant and though gripped I struggled to care about the characters quite as much as I should have.
The plot though competent is wafer thin, the love story flawed and considering this film is almost 3hrs long I felt it was remarkably shallow.
On the flipside however the cast delivered on every front, the writing was wonderful the score was hugely fitting and the cinematography was absolutely second to none. The whole movie is perfectly crafted and has some of the most incredible visuals I've ever seen!
Despite all it's glaring flaws and my inability to see this magical love story it is still a sight to behold and a triumph for Besson.
The Good:
Some stunning visuals
Very charming
Well scored
Great cast
The Bad:
Didn't feel the incredible friendship
Certainly didn't feel the love story
Things I Learnt From This Movie:
I'm starting to think that the story wasn't about friendship or love, but about undiagnosed mental illness
That ending left me VERY uneasy
French made by internationally renound director Luc Besson both as writer and director the Big Blue is a curious film that left me scratching my head yet oddly entertained.
It tells the story of two friends since childhood with a passion for competetive deep sea diving. One is the world champion, arrogant and relatively famous while the other is more reclusive, mysterious and with a certain innocence.
The two men compete against each other, constantly trying to one up the other while maintaining a loyalty and friendship. When a New York reporter begins to fall for one of the pair a story of love and friendship truly begins.
Here is the trouble though, the friendship was questionable and the love felt hugely one sided. One character was conceited while the other ignorant and though gripped I struggled to care about the characters quite as much as I should have.
The plot though competent is wafer thin, the love story flawed and considering this film is almost 3hrs long I felt it was remarkably shallow.
On the flipside however the cast delivered on every front, the writing was wonderful the score was hugely fitting and the cinematography was absolutely second to none. The whole movie is perfectly crafted and has some of the most incredible visuals I've ever seen!
Despite all it's glaring flaws and my inability to see this magical love story it is still a sight to behold and a triumph for Besson.
The Good:
Some stunning visuals
Very charming
Well scored
Great cast
The Bad:
Didn't feel the incredible friendship
Certainly didn't feel the love story
Things I Learnt From This Movie:
I'm starting to think that the story wasn't about friendship or love, but about undiagnosed mental illness
That ending left me VERY uneasy
Cult Movies 47
TYLERdurden746 November 1998
47. THE BIG BLUE (adv.-romance, 1988) Mayol (Jean-Marc Barr) is determined to dethrone current world-free diving champion Enzo (Jean Reno). Childhood friends, they share a fierce rivalry that, nonetheless, has kept their friendship alive. Both of them share an almost spiritual affinity with the sea, especially Mayol who lost his father. His love for his sport, however, is put on hold when he meets Joanna (Rosanna Arquette). But as Mayol and Enzo's competition become more fierce, Joanna slowly feels herself drifting away from Mayol, as his fascination with the sea takes on an obsessive turn.
Critique: Marvelouslly filmed underwater adventure from master-Frenchman Luc Besson, who has specialized on action films. This is his most personal work to date, thus taking on a uniquely surreal quality. The exquisite camera-work is very special, at times almost documentary in quality.
This mix of 'art' cinematography and romance made it a big money earner all over Europe but, not surprisingly, only gained critical acclaim elsewhere. Adding to its failure is a somewhat downbeat ending that, I think, complements the film's mythic storyline.
Besson's 'epic masterpiece' has yet to reach many viewers who would embrace his visionary talents.
Critique: Marvelouslly filmed underwater adventure from master-Frenchman Luc Besson, who has specialized on action films. This is his most personal work to date, thus taking on a uniquely surreal quality. The exquisite camera-work is very special, at times almost documentary in quality.
This mix of 'art' cinematography and romance made it a big money earner all over Europe but, not surprisingly, only gained critical acclaim elsewhere. Adding to its failure is a somewhat downbeat ending that, I think, complements the film's mythic storyline.
Besson's 'epic masterpiece' has yet to reach many viewers who would embrace his visionary talents.
Hynoptic Masterpiece
critic_at_large22 August 2002
I have to watch this movie once a year just to calm my nerves. One of the few films to which I have also purchased the soundtrack. This film, like the sea which is its subject, hypnotizes you, seduces you, rocks you into a state of oneness with the lush scenery. Rosanna Arquette is beautiful and sexy in an uncharacteristically understated way. Barr makes the perfect beau and embodies the spirit of the film and the ocean. I fell in love with Jean Reno in this film. Unforgettable imagery, interesting premise, good chemistry between Arquette and Barr, and Reno is a joy to watch.
Masterfully directed by Luc Besson and a film to treasure.
Masterfully directed by Luc Besson and a film to treasure.
The best special effect of " Big Blue " is its freedom.
Alcaminhante6 May 1999
This is the movie of my life !
I never before saw a film that i could identify myself so much with. I´m lucky enough to live in a place near the sea very similar and as beautiful as those in the movie and the opening scenes always remind me of my teenage years and the waters i explored like young Jaqques Mayol does in the beginning of the movie. Things that i still do. So i immediatley related to the character and its love for the ocean.
I guess that´s the beauty of this movie. It makes us feel that we could be any of its characters, because they´re so real. We almost can´t believe that they don´t exist outside of the movie. This is an amazing ,beautifuly well written ,acted, photographed and directed movie ! It carries us into an extraordinary world, and it´s our world !! (mine at least to some point) Not some hollywood depiction of reality !
But what it´s about it ? This is the worst thing anyone can ask about this movie.
I would hate to be the guy who had to publicize this in USA. And i can see why it failed there.
But what can i say about it?... That it´s the story of two friends who compete to find out who´s best ?...It´s more than that ! That it´s a love story ? It goes beyond every love story ! That it´s an adventure ? You bet it is ! But it has no action, no chases,no dangerous cliffangers, no guns and no explosions. It doesn´t even has bad guys ! Or good guys in fact. That it´s a travel or a road movie ? Probably. This movie has better locations than any James Bond movie will ever get and they´re all real !
But they don´t matter much compared to the characters in the film. The characters then... There´s a hero right ?... Well there´s two of them. Two men. But they´re not heroes.
Probably the hero is a woman who sacrifices her happiness for love. So, there´s a woman and two men. There´s got to be a love triangle there to cause all those love story rivalary subplots, right ? Well, there´s a love triangle, but there aren´t subplots attached to it. In fact the love triangle has more than three people. All characters are a part of it realy. Including dolphins ! Even the ocean.
Aha ! So this is some sort of a kinky erotic and exotic movie thing ? Wrong ! There´s sex in it, but not in that way at all.
It´s a comedy then... You´ll laugh, but you´ll cry too. It´s a drama ... Not in the conventional cliché way. Not at all. A dramatic comedy... Nope !
It´s a sci-fi film !... Well there´s scientists in it, and deep underwater, and even under ice diving scenes, but it´s not a scifi film, although the American "version" Movie Trailler presented it like if it were some new esotheric adventure underwater sci-fi horror movie, when in fact it is not.
So what is this movie about ?!!
It´s about what you want it to be. About what you´re feeling. It´s that open. You just have to feel it.
As Luc Besson said in an interview, at some point in the movie he was stuck, because he didn´t know how to carry the audience inside.
Then the real Jaqques Mayol, who worked in the film as a diving and story consultant took Besson diving with him one day and made him experience the sea in his way. Then Besson understood that he didn´t had to explain anything to the audience. He just had to make people feel what it was like !
And boy, did he make it ! The atmosphere in this movie goes beyond words. It has to be felt ! Also the soundtrack is out of this world and trully magical.
To me this film is about love, but in a much deeper meaning than the usual. Beyond race, beyond gender, beyond sex, beyond nationality. Love as an emotion. And about freedom !
So get a wide screen TV and a full blast surround. This movie is the reason to buy one if you don´t have it! Believe me ! And watch it in the dark.
Try to get the european full version of the movie. The american is not that terrible, the feeling is there, but it´s diferent from the original.
This movie is a masterpiece ! ( in any version )
I never before saw a film that i could identify myself so much with. I´m lucky enough to live in a place near the sea very similar and as beautiful as those in the movie and the opening scenes always remind me of my teenage years and the waters i explored like young Jaqques Mayol does in the beginning of the movie. Things that i still do. So i immediatley related to the character and its love for the ocean.
I guess that´s the beauty of this movie. It makes us feel that we could be any of its characters, because they´re so real. We almost can´t believe that they don´t exist outside of the movie. This is an amazing ,beautifuly well written ,acted, photographed and directed movie ! It carries us into an extraordinary world, and it´s our world !! (mine at least to some point) Not some hollywood depiction of reality !
But what it´s about it ? This is the worst thing anyone can ask about this movie.
I would hate to be the guy who had to publicize this in USA. And i can see why it failed there.
But what can i say about it?... That it´s the story of two friends who compete to find out who´s best ?...It´s more than that ! That it´s a love story ? It goes beyond every love story ! That it´s an adventure ? You bet it is ! But it has no action, no chases,no dangerous cliffangers, no guns and no explosions. It doesn´t even has bad guys ! Or good guys in fact. That it´s a travel or a road movie ? Probably. This movie has better locations than any James Bond movie will ever get and they´re all real !
But they don´t matter much compared to the characters in the film. The characters then... There´s a hero right ?... Well there´s two of them. Two men. But they´re not heroes.
Probably the hero is a woman who sacrifices her happiness for love. So, there´s a woman and two men. There´s got to be a love triangle there to cause all those love story rivalary subplots, right ? Well, there´s a love triangle, but there aren´t subplots attached to it. In fact the love triangle has more than three people. All characters are a part of it realy. Including dolphins ! Even the ocean.
Aha ! So this is some sort of a kinky erotic and exotic movie thing ? Wrong ! There´s sex in it, but not in that way at all.
It´s a comedy then... You´ll laugh, but you´ll cry too. It´s a drama ... Not in the conventional cliché way. Not at all. A dramatic comedy... Nope !
It´s a sci-fi film !... Well there´s scientists in it, and deep underwater, and even under ice diving scenes, but it´s not a scifi film, although the American "version" Movie Trailler presented it like if it were some new esotheric adventure underwater sci-fi horror movie, when in fact it is not.
So what is this movie about ?!!
It´s about what you want it to be. About what you´re feeling. It´s that open. You just have to feel it.
As Luc Besson said in an interview, at some point in the movie he was stuck, because he didn´t know how to carry the audience inside.
Then the real Jaqques Mayol, who worked in the film as a diving and story consultant took Besson diving with him one day and made him experience the sea in his way. Then Besson understood that he didn´t had to explain anything to the audience. He just had to make people feel what it was like !
And boy, did he make it ! The atmosphere in this movie goes beyond words. It has to be felt ! Also the soundtrack is out of this world and trully magical.
To me this film is about love, but in a much deeper meaning than the usual. Beyond race, beyond gender, beyond sex, beyond nationality. Love as an emotion. And about freedom !
So get a wide screen TV and a full blast surround. This movie is the reason to buy one if you don´t have it! Believe me ! And watch it in the dark.
Try to get the european full version of the movie. The american is not that terrible, the feeling is there, but it´s diferent from the original.
This movie is a masterpiece ! ( in any version )
The Greatest Dream Movie of All Time
Dockelektro22 October 2000
This movie is the most fantastic contemplation of earth paradise in existence.
First it's imperative that we notice one major difference: the short version and the "version longue" are two completely different films. From tip to toe. I only knew this film previously in its short version. Yesterday I bought the "version longue" in my local FNAC store without subtitles (it's rare these days).
And.................... I fell in love with everything about it, stunned and mesmerized, being at the same time riddled by the way that the short version lost all sense, in comparison with the "longue" version. You can think of an integral version like a way to stuff a film with pictures, but in this movie we have the feeling that the movie was intended to have 164 minutes, and not nearly two.
And you can picture the transformation that occurred in my perception of this film, as I passed from that mutilated, full-screen, mono-sound version to a full, widescreen and hi-fi version. This is why "Le Grand Bleu" passed from just a movie by Luc Besson to the greatest movie of my greatest director.
My perception is that this is the great underwater epic he always wanted to make. And he achieves it in every way, specially letting the audience identify themselves with it.
Perhaps my favorite Besson movie was "The Fifth Element" (I like them all), but after having the privilege of experiencing this fantastic, beautiful, stunning, vivid and moving film, "The Big Blue" passed from one of the medium levels to definitely the top one. The characters all gained strength, the underwater scenes all made sense, the previous movie was completely backed up, and the feeling that this movie was a contemplative journey gained finally its place.
I gave it a 10 out of 10, not for the US version (how can they even think of erasing Eric Serra's score?!?!?) which, for its mutilations, deserved a 1, but for the version longue, which is the only way the movie shall be seen. What a masterpiece! After I saw this movie, I rewinded it thinking that my only wish is that one day I get to take part on such an experience, being there, dreaming and sharing my dream with everyone who would like to share it with me. Perhaps one day, a beautiful blue day...
First it's imperative that we notice one major difference: the short version and the "version longue" are two completely different films. From tip to toe. I only knew this film previously in its short version. Yesterday I bought the "version longue" in my local FNAC store without subtitles (it's rare these days).
And.................... I fell in love with everything about it, stunned and mesmerized, being at the same time riddled by the way that the short version lost all sense, in comparison with the "longue" version. You can think of an integral version like a way to stuff a film with pictures, but in this movie we have the feeling that the movie was intended to have 164 minutes, and not nearly two.
And you can picture the transformation that occurred in my perception of this film, as I passed from that mutilated, full-screen, mono-sound version to a full, widescreen and hi-fi version. This is why "Le Grand Bleu" passed from just a movie by Luc Besson to the greatest movie of my greatest director.
My perception is that this is the great underwater epic he always wanted to make. And he achieves it in every way, specially letting the audience identify themselves with it.
Perhaps my favorite Besson movie was "The Fifth Element" (I like them all), but after having the privilege of experiencing this fantastic, beautiful, stunning, vivid and moving film, "The Big Blue" passed from one of the medium levels to definitely the top one. The characters all gained strength, the underwater scenes all made sense, the previous movie was completely backed up, and the feeling that this movie was a contemplative journey gained finally its place.
I gave it a 10 out of 10, not for the US version (how can they even think of erasing Eric Serra's score?!?!?) which, for its mutilations, deserved a 1, but for the version longue, which is the only way the movie shall be seen. What a masterpiece! After I saw this movie, I rewinded it thinking that my only wish is that one day I get to take part on such an experience, being there, dreaming and sharing my dream with everyone who would like to share it with me. Perhaps one day, a beautiful blue day...
Jacques Yves Cousteau must surely have had enjoyed this film.
FilmCriticLalitRao7 August 2007
Le Grand Bleu is the true story of famous French diver Jacques Mayol who challenged death.Jacques and Enzo were always passionate about sea and this passion gave rise to their spirited rivalry.Enzo will never give up as he doesn't want to be beaten at all by anyone.They approve the widespread notion that one who goes for a thing will get it not the one who saw the thing.Mayol's character portrayed by Jean Marc Barr reminds one of celebrated Jacques Yves Cousteau who advocated the philosophy of profundity by making underwater his home.Le Grand Bleu's strength lies in its wonderfully shot visuals as well as catchy musical score by Eric Serra.Even,Jacques Mayol offered his indispensable contribution as a technical consultant on this film.The film was a massive hit among youngsters throughout Europe attracting nine million viewers in France.Luc Besson created one of the best films of his career featuring impressive underwater images.The film's success proved that the aesthetic quality can only save the cinema which is facing tough competition from television.
The Subplot IS the Story
rburson13 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I found this movie haunting, to say the least. After looking at so many of the other reviews, I was more than amazed that so many people hated it, but then I realized that they just didn't get it. Everyone seems to think the story is a romance (the love triangle) or a sports flick (the free diving), and that Jacques obsession with the sea is a mere subplot, but that's completely backwards. The romance and the free diving are just the mechanisms that Luc Besson uses to reveal the real story and to resolve the main character's emotional turmoil. The "subplot" lying deep beneath the other stories (what a brilliant analogy by Besson) is summed up in only a few scenes: the opening sequences that reveals Jacques love and fear of the sea; his admittedly bizarre relationship with dolphins as his family; the myth about the mermaids; the release of the female dolphin from captivity; and finally the end, where he fulfills the myth by proving that his love for the deep sea is pure and sincere so that she takes him away forever (to paraphrase the myth). It was this final image that haunted me for days and drove me to write this review. I agree with many people that the movie was quite long and had unrelated scenes, but so what. Besson's directing is great. The first appearance of the young Enzo, the first appearance of the older Jacques, Enzo's car and flamboyance, the tide of water flowing downward from the ceiling, and the very last scene, all these bold images were fantastic. By the time the movie is complete all that weight from above is focused down to that one instant when Jacques releases the lifeline. Luc Besson clearly demonstrated the art in film. It's a great flick, that's really all there is to it.
It's got Jean Reno, what more reason do you need?
vertigo_1415 March 2004
The Big Blue started out to be a fine film. Two childhood friends, Enzo and Jacques, test their strengths against the deep blue sea. Departing ways when they were younger Enzo, the seventeen time world record holder, summons his long lost friend, Jacques, to compete with him in the upcoming championships. Aside from the story of competitive passions and soul searching, you have the love story between Insurance Agent Joanna and Jacques, who she loves, but just can't seem to understand his level of appreciate for deep sea diving. Not only that, Enzo and Jacques are really two different type of divers. Enzo is a flamboyant competitive spirit, while Jacques isn't really doing it to break records or rack up points. He's a natural for diving simply because he finds greater importance in it. And cockiness, as you may know, always leads to some kind of downfall.
It started a great film that is, until they paint Jacques to be some sort of dolphin whisperer. No longer does being in the water and competing conjure up memories of the death of his father, but now he finds it to be a way of joining a bunch of dolphins, that which he refers to as his family. Even more frustrating is Jacque's unresponsive relationship to Joanna, which starts out sweet, but eventually becomes a question of, what is Joanna going to do with this guy?
The photography is beautiful, and really something to see and something to learn if you don't particularly know much about the "sport" or how it operates. Plus, the European scenery is gorgeous. But, above anything else, this is a fine display of the great charm that Reno adds to all of his characters. It's a lot of fun to watch. But, be warned, it is also a sad story.
It started a great film that is, until they paint Jacques to be some sort of dolphin whisperer. No longer does being in the water and competing conjure up memories of the death of his father, but now he finds it to be a way of joining a bunch of dolphins, that which he refers to as his family. Even more frustrating is Jacque's unresponsive relationship to Joanna, which starts out sweet, but eventually becomes a question of, what is Joanna going to do with this guy?
The photography is beautiful, and really something to see and something to learn if you don't particularly know much about the "sport" or how it operates. Plus, the European scenery is gorgeous. But, above anything else, this is a fine display of the great charm that Reno adds to all of his characters. It's a lot of fun to watch. But, be warned, it is also a sad story.
took my breath away
rifelgirl26 December 2000
This movie has been a favorite of mine since it was first released. I enjoy the romance of the films locations. I enjoy the small bits of humor within the twisting plot. Unlike any movie anyone has ever seen before. just beautiful.
Stupid kid drowns and wins Darwin award
YaumingYMC28 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The photography was great but the plot, directing really was horrible. And this coming from me, a person whose done over 100+ scuba dives and has a desire to dive down to the bottom of the Marianas Trench, 10,000m under the sea (and not return).
1. Can someone tell me why the kid and the Uncle didn't attempt to pull out the dad at the start of the film? He was only in about 10m of water for crying out loud. They let him plunge to his death for no apparent reason other than to create a silly melodrama.
2. The Uncle should have pulled the dive rope and hauled back the father asap when trouble occurred but he didn't. Why? 3. It seems all the characters, esp the lead character, are morons.
4. The female lead is also a moron, sacrificing her job and career to go chase after a pretty boy idiot she barely knows.
5. Morons and diving don't mix. And worse, they endanger the lives of the rest of the dive team. There's a scene where the divers are drinking alcohol before doing deep sea work. Its not funny. If they get into trouble - other people have to risk their lives to pull them out.
6. This is the best part - when Enzo fails in his dive attempt and is pulled out of the water - the moron scientist pushes away the rest of the crew including the medics who are trying to render first aid to Enzo. WTF??? 7. This is the second best part - when the lead character learns that his lover is pregnant with his child and wants him to marry him etc.. - the fool dives into the bottom of the sea to swim with a dolphin and dies. Father fail. Partner fail. Human fail.
8. This film is very long and boring - and normally I like long boring films.
1. Can someone tell me why the kid and the Uncle didn't attempt to pull out the dad at the start of the film? He was only in about 10m of water for crying out loud. They let him plunge to his death for no apparent reason other than to create a silly melodrama.
2. The Uncle should have pulled the dive rope and hauled back the father asap when trouble occurred but he didn't. Why? 3. It seems all the characters, esp the lead character, are morons.
4. The female lead is also a moron, sacrificing her job and career to go chase after a pretty boy idiot she barely knows.
5. Morons and diving don't mix. And worse, they endanger the lives of the rest of the dive team. There's a scene where the divers are drinking alcohol before doing deep sea work. Its not funny. If they get into trouble - other people have to risk their lives to pull them out.
6. This is the best part - when Enzo fails in his dive attempt and is pulled out of the water - the moron scientist pushes away the rest of the crew including the medics who are trying to render first aid to Enzo. WTF??? 7. This is the second best part - when the lead character learns that his lover is pregnant with his child and wants him to marry him etc.. - the fool dives into the bottom of the sea to swim with a dolphin and dies. Father fail. Partner fail. Human fail.
8. This film is very long and boring - and normally I like long boring films.
Very real..
mpstruyk9 November 2004
For me the grand bleu is something unique...i have never seen a movie were everybody has the same love for the sea,and for their sport... Even if the movie is from 1988...it is still one of a kind!!! Go and see it yourself!! When i lived in France in 1989..everybody was talking about Le Grand Bleu...I still have the music.. And a poster on the toilet..
It remindes me of the good old time.. I have also the movie version long on DVD...it is so beautiful!! You will laugh and cry during Le Grand Bleu. Find out for yourself what your impression is, and you wont be disappointed!
It remindes me of the good old time.. I have also the movie version long on DVD...it is so beautiful!! You will laugh and cry during Le Grand Bleu. Find out for yourself what your impression is, and you wont be disappointed!
Weird, but worth seeing
Idocamstuf20 June 2003
This is one strange movie, I think it could be placed in the Avant-Garde genre. It consists of two freedivers and a ditzy girlfriend, well played by Roseanna Arquette. The version I got was the directors cut which ran about 3 hours, and seemed a little too long, but it was still a watchable film, especially for the breathtaking underwater shots. This film is often considered a turkey in the U.S., but it's really not bad at all, I think many critics expected too much. Griffin Dunne, who starred in "After Hours"(1985), with Arquette has a brief, almost useless cameo as her boss. This film is a difficult one to find, I had been looking for it for quite a while, and I was shocked to find it in the $3.00 bin at Wal-Mart. A unique experience. ***1/2 out of *****.
Pointless and Depressing
cgfry27 August 2002
Warning: Spoilers
OK, OK. I sent in the following comment just after seeing this movie for the first time:
"The summary [Stupid, Pointless, Terrible] pretty much says it all. Save yourself 2.5h of boring, hard-to-watch stupid movie. Perhaps the only conclusion about this movie is that accidents involving parents during childhood can really, really mess someone up."
I admit that I was upset, and not just a little bit. After some relaxing and thinking, the above needs some elaboration to be useful to anyone that has not yet seen this movie.
First, this could have been a very good movie; it comes close in a lot of areas, especially in the cinematography. The Greek locations are spectacular. But I have to say that the underwater shots left me unimpressed.
**SPOILERS** More importantly, this movie _seems_ to be a movie about love: the lead male (Jacques Mayol) is conflicted between his love of the ocean, love of his "family" of dolphins, and love of his human partner, Johanna.
This is where I just don't get this movie, and the almost overwhelmingly positive response to it at IMDB. Mayol is in many respects a classic male lead: he reminds me of Clint Eastwood in many of his westerns, and as Dirty Harry. Does Clint portray a loving male role model in these movies? Not in my book, and Mayol misses even more so in this movie. Mayol doesn't communicate with anyone in a reasonable fashion, except, it seems, his dolphins. My initial response to his adult character is that he's just a really messed up individual that never got over the abandonment of his mother and the death of his father, who was a diver for his living.
Nothing I saw in the movie leads me to believe otherwise about Mayol. One wonders why Johanna would possible stay with this guy. He and she never have anything more than extremely tense, completely dysfunctional interactions. Johanna tries to get him to interact with her, but other than sex, absolutely nothing happens that one could view as positive in any way. Mayol has sex with her, tells her he _thinks_ he's in love with her, and then takes off and spends the rest of the night swimming in the ocean with his dolphin friends (lovers?).
A lot is made about the "friendship" between Mayol and his boyhood bully Enzo. Forget it; Enzo tries his best to be friends with Mayol in their adult life, but again Mayol seems completely disinterested in this other form of human contact. Enzo and Mayol compete in free diving, but Mayol clearly just doesn't care about the competitions, taking any real interest away from this part of the movie.
Mayol is just flat nuts in the head, and the end of the movie proves that he is more seriously suicidal that Enzo. Enzo dies trying to prove he is the best; Mayol dives away from the love and family that is offered to him with Johanna.
So my anger has to do with watching such a destructive, unhappy, dysfunctional individual not only mess his own life up, but also that of the people that need and love him. There's some weird talk in the movie about the call of the deep blue, and mermaids that await males in the depths of the ocean "if their love is true." What a load of baloney! It would work if the movie went toward showing how Mayol was psychologically damaged by his father's death, and how Johanna (and Enzo's death) help bring him back to humanity. But the movie goes in just the opposite direction.
I found this movie utterly depressing and pointless. It's clear a lot of other people saw something else in it. Even as a fairytale--Mayol swims away to live as a weird human/dolphin--the movie just doesn't work. He leaves a wife and unborn child for no justifiable reason.
I finally gave the movie a 4 of 10 rating, only for the cinematography. If you like weepy love stories, there have to be many better movies out there! This one just makes no sense at all.
"The summary [Stupid, Pointless, Terrible] pretty much says it all. Save yourself 2.5h of boring, hard-to-watch stupid movie. Perhaps the only conclusion about this movie is that accidents involving parents during childhood can really, really mess someone up."
I admit that I was upset, and not just a little bit. After some relaxing and thinking, the above needs some elaboration to be useful to anyone that has not yet seen this movie.
First, this could have been a very good movie; it comes close in a lot of areas, especially in the cinematography. The Greek locations are spectacular. But I have to say that the underwater shots left me unimpressed.
**SPOILERS** More importantly, this movie _seems_ to be a movie about love: the lead male (Jacques Mayol) is conflicted between his love of the ocean, love of his "family" of dolphins, and love of his human partner, Johanna.
This is where I just don't get this movie, and the almost overwhelmingly positive response to it at IMDB. Mayol is in many respects a classic male lead: he reminds me of Clint Eastwood in many of his westerns, and as Dirty Harry. Does Clint portray a loving male role model in these movies? Not in my book, and Mayol misses even more so in this movie. Mayol doesn't communicate with anyone in a reasonable fashion, except, it seems, his dolphins. My initial response to his adult character is that he's just a really messed up individual that never got over the abandonment of his mother and the death of his father, who was a diver for his living.
Nothing I saw in the movie leads me to believe otherwise about Mayol. One wonders why Johanna would possible stay with this guy. He and she never have anything more than extremely tense, completely dysfunctional interactions. Johanna tries to get him to interact with her, but other than sex, absolutely nothing happens that one could view as positive in any way. Mayol has sex with her, tells her he _thinks_ he's in love with her, and then takes off and spends the rest of the night swimming in the ocean with his dolphin friends (lovers?).
A lot is made about the "friendship" between Mayol and his boyhood bully Enzo. Forget it; Enzo tries his best to be friends with Mayol in their adult life, but again Mayol seems completely disinterested in this other form of human contact. Enzo and Mayol compete in free diving, but Mayol clearly just doesn't care about the competitions, taking any real interest away from this part of the movie.
Mayol is just flat nuts in the head, and the end of the movie proves that he is more seriously suicidal that Enzo. Enzo dies trying to prove he is the best; Mayol dives away from the love and family that is offered to him with Johanna.
So my anger has to do with watching such a destructive, unhappy, dysfunctional individual not only mess his own life up, but also that of the people that need and love him. There's some weird talk in the movie about the call of the deep blue, and mermaids that await males in the depths of the ocean "if their love is true." What a load of baloney! It would work if the movie went toward showing how Mayol was psychologically damaged by his father's death, and how Johanna (and Enzo's death) help bring him back to humanity. But the movie goes in just the opposite direction.
I found this movie utterly depressing and pointless. It's clear a lot of other people saw something else in it. Even as a fairytale--Mayol swims away to live as a weird human/dolphin--the movie just doesn't work. He leaves a wife and unborn child for no justifiable reason.
I finally gave the movie a 4 of 10 rating, only for the cinematography. If you like weepy love stories, there have to be many better movies out there! This one just makes no sense at all.
Beautiful movie
Stainless_Steel_Rat22 April 2003
The Big Blue is a story mainly centred around Jacques Mayol (Jean-Marc Barr), a free diver. Free diving is a sport where people dive as deep as they can with a single breath, and no equipment other than a rope and a weighted mechanism to take them to the required depth. Although to say the story of Big Blue is just about free diving does not do it any justice. The story starts in Greece with Jacques as a child, then moves forward to "present day". In the story we also have Enzo (Jean Reno), Jacque's lifelong friend and nemesis who motivates him to free dive in competition (so he has some competition) and also gets him work in other areas of diving. During this work Jacques meets an insurance investigator Johana (Rosanna Arquette), and a romance starts (albeit mostly from her). The story continues as Jacques struggles with problems in his past, present and future.
The Big Blue is an unusual movie. There is some silly (but arguably funny) humour. Also there are some serious levels including romance, and how we deal with problems from our past, our existence, and our future. The film is also quite long (in the aptly named "version longue") at about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Fans of Jean Reno would certainly love this movie.
I really enjoyed this film. The main story is very light and thinly stretched, so to really enjoy it I feel you have to look deeper at the characters and read between the lines. I also really enjoyed the humour, which was silly but fun and was a good counterpoint to the serious scenes. Jean-Marc Barr was absolutely stunning as Jacques, bearing in mind the number of underwater sequences that were required as well. It's a real shame that we don't see Jean-Marc in more leading roles. Jean Reno was also extremely good, and although for me an irritating character Rosanna Arquette put in a reasonable performance. The cinematography is another lush element of the film, with the beautiful locations and underwater sequences (especially those with the dolphins). Eric Serra's soundtrack is pretty good also, although sounds a little dated. As mentioned, this review is based on the "version longue". 5/5
The Big Blue is an unusual movie. There is some silly (but arguably funny) humour. Also there are some serious levels including romance, and how we deal with problems from our past, our existence, and our future. The film is also quite long (in the aptly named "version longue") at about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Fans of Jean Reno would certainly love this movie.
I really enjoyed this film. The main story is very light and thinly stretched, so to really enjoy it I feel you have to look deeper at the characters and read between the lines. I also really enjoyed the humour, which was silly but fun and was a good counterpoint to the serious scenes. Jean-Marc Barr was absolutely stunning as Jacques, bearing in mind the number of underwater sequences that were required as well. It's a real shame that we don't see Jean-Marc in more leading roles. Jean Reno was also extremely good, and although for me an irritating character Rosanna Arquette put in a reasonable performance. The cinematography is another lush element of the film, with the beautiful locations and underwater sequences (especially those with the dolphins). Eric Serra's soundtrack is pretty good also, although sounds a little dated. As mentioned, this review is based on the "version longue". 5/5
Stop #3 Into Besson's Mind
vampyricacid10 January 2006
This was my 3rd stop (2nd real stop, I have decided not to count Fifth Element)into the world of Luc Besson, and i have to say I was mightily impressed, Leon is still topping my list, I was absolutely blown away by that, but it is almost impossible to compare the two as they are completely different in mood and genre. For anyone wanting to watch a fantastic dream of a film, with absorbing characters, true love in all its forms and some awesome underwater photography then this is for you! The characters are all formed perfectly, almost exaggerated but not, Jean Reno is his usual astounding self, and Jean-Marc Barr really out does himself, with Rosanna Arquette in a superb supporting roll. the story ambles along at its own pace but never stops or gets dull keeping you interested along the way, I don't want to go too much into it as it was kind of spoiled for my by reading too much of these boards, needless to say I was crying at one point, and that doesn't happen often. The score compliments the film perfectly, Eric Serra has done a wonderfully emotive score that almost interacts with the scenes along the way.
Overall I'd give this film a 9/10, yet again awesome direction, acting and soundtrack, and definitely in my top films! just a shame i've borrowed it off a mate and have to give it back tomorrow, it's definitely something i could watch again and again!
Overall I'd give this film a 9/10, yet again awesome direction, acting and soundtrack, and definitely in my top films! just a shame i've borrowed it off a mate and have to give it back tomorrow, it's definitely something i could watch again and again!
Enchanting
Rainsford5516 September 2000
A captivating film that appears almost magical. Fine performance by Jean-Marc Barr that is too easily overlooked. His sensitive portrayal captures one's heart and mind and locks you in for the duration. Well backed up by Arquette and Reno with perhaps too much taken out for the US release. Watch and enjoy and allow yourself to be taken on a magical journey into and through a mans heart and soul. Congratulations to all involved. This one is a modern day classic.
My take on this movie I saw 30+ years ago
gjdewald24 July 2022
I thought the friendship was genuine and interesting and so was the romance. The movie wasn't about diving or competition.
Many critics get the 2 main male characters wrong. Interpreting them as unlikable. Reno's character is arrogant and conceited. Barr's character is withdrawn, aloof, and madly unresponsive to Arquette's obvious affection.
The magic of the movie is all about the characters imperfections and their respective bonds. It's about imperfect people and their perfect bond with each other.
I find all 3 characters genuine and likable. Their flaws are what make them genuine and interesting. The arrogant conceited Reno is pationate and deeply involved in his family and close relationships. Barr is an introverted self-contained personality, perhaps further withdrawn into himself by tragedy that leaves him without family other than dolphins and the sea. The unbreakable bond between Barr and Reno started with the tragic accident to Barr's father and witnessed by Reno.
I got this movie when it was released on VHS and watched it 20 times. I always liked the movie, but haven't seen it in around 30 years. My VHS is long gone, but I want to see this movie again. There are not many movies I watched 30 years ago and want to see again.
The critics run wild over this movie. They certainly did when it was released. I don't mind liking a movie more than the critics do, especially after reading their reviews. Diving is boring, they don't get it.
I was prompted to write this review after reading a review saying the movie was about undiagnosed mental illness. Well, only if everyone has an undiagnosed mental illness. Actually, maybe, everyone is a little mentally ill. Nobody is perfect and imperfect characters are the most interesting.
Many critics get the 2 main male characters wrong. Interpreting them as unlikable. Reno's character is arrogant and conceited. Barr's character is withdrawn, aloof, and madly unresponsive to Arquette's obvious affection.
The magic of the movie is all about the characters imperfections and their respective bonds. It's about imperfect people and their perfect bond with each other.
I find all 3 characters genuine and likable. Their flaws are what make them genuine and interesting. The arrogant conceited Reno is pationate and deeply involved in his family and close relationships. Barr is an introverted self-contained personality, perhaps further withdrawn into himself by tragedy that leaves him without family other than dolphins and the sea. The unbreakable bond between Barr and Reno started with the tragic accident to Barr's father and witnessed by Reno.
I got this movie when it was released on VHS and watched it 20 times. I always liked the movie, but haven't seen it in around 30 years. My VHS is long gone, but I want to see this movie again. There are not many movies I watched 30 years ago and want to see again.
The critics run wild over this movie. They certainly did when it was released. I don't mind liking a movie more than the critics do, especially after reading their reviews. Diving is boring, they don't get it.
I was prompted to write this review after reading a review saying the movie was about undiagnosed mental illness. Well, only if everyone has an undiagnosed mental illness. Actually, maybe, everyone is a little mentally ill. Nobody is perfect and imperfect characters are the most interesting.
This film set the standards of what love is truly about
bluebaibi25 August 2000
I have loved this movie and Jacques Mayol ever since I was in the sixth grade. That was 11 years ago and still this movie has stayed with me. How unbelievably beautiful this man is for his love of the sea and the connection he has with the dolphins. Within his heart and his soul and his being, he is what a man should be. Loyal, loving , and pure. Jean-Marc Barr added so much to this movie with his innocent eyes and his delicious smile. If you want to get lost in a movie and fall desperately in love with a man, watch this movie and he shall set the standards for all future men who shall enter your life. Jean-Marc, wherever you are, in whatever film you are doing now, I know that the essence and beauty you brought to this part, is still with you and those around you will only benefit from it. I love this movie and you will too.
Interesting but slow, long and clumsy
grantss31 August 2015
Interesting but slow, long and clumsy.
The story of two childhood friends with a love for the sea and diving. They drift apart but are reunited by the competitive world of free diving. Their eagerness to set new depth records drives them to incredible feats, and great danger...
Starts off quite amateurishly. The childhood scenes and the acting therein is quite badly done. However, it gets better after that and the plot is interesting enough. It never does shake that clumsy amateurishness present in the first few scenes though.
Is very slow and overly long too. Far too many scenes in the movie that could easily have been cut or at least edited somewhat.
Performances are mostly OK, but not brilliant. Nobody really stands out. Jean Reno is probably the best of the bunch.
The story of two childhood friends with a love for the sea and diving. They drift apart but are reunited by the competitive world of free diving. Their eagerness to set new depth records drives them to incredible feats, and great danger...
Starts off quite amateurishly. The childhood scenes and the acting therein is quite badly done. However, it gets better after that and the plot is interesting enough. It never does shake that clumsy amateurishness present in the first few scenes though.
Is very slow and overly long too. Far too many scenes in the movie that could easily have been cut or at least edited somewhat.
Performances are mostly OK, but not brilliant. Nobody really stands out. Jean Reno is probably the best of the bunch.
''This is the One of the best movie I will ever watch''
EasternMafia21 January 2007
''You can see it so many times and always you will feel the same. The same wish and the same beauty of feeling about it.'' This is the One of the best movie I will ever watch, is there any movie around who can be compared with this one? Titanic perhaps... But the Big Blue is the master peace of this earth ever. Two main actors in this movie are the most if I can express ma self: the nicest and the prettiest actors ever!!! Not mamas blond boys...
I would like to see something similar to it... but you can found, nothing than a shark stupidity on Atlantic / Pacific oceans. Mediterranean will live for ever as it beautiful and always welcome.
I would like to see something similar to it... but you can found, nothing than a shark stupidity on Atlantic / Pacific oceans. Mediterranean will live for ever as it beautiful and always welcome.
It's certainly not Free Willy
steve-129730 April 2004
First, let's be clear about which version we're dealing with: if you're offered the US edition 119 minute cut with a happy ending and a Bill Conti soundtrack - walk away, quickly. If it's the 132 minute French cut with English subtitles and the original and superior Eric (I've been listening to too many Peter Gabriel albums) Sierra soundtrack. Well, that'll do nicely. However, if you like your bleu to be grand then check out the magnificent directors cut which runs to just over 160 minutes and has been well worth the wait. It's a beautifully shot film that really needs to be seen in a cinema to be fully appreciated. The sea is the star of this movie but Jean Reno, Jean-Marc Barr and Rosanna Arquette put in good supporting performances. Jean Reno's character has an adversarial relationship with the sea. He measures himself against it; he needs to prove his mastery, his superiority. Jacques' (Jean-Marc Barr's character - insert your own Cousteau joke here) relationship with the sea is far more complex: As a child his mother abandoned him to cross the sea; his father left him when he drowned in the sea. Jacques is drawn by, obsessed with and at home in the sea. Perhaps it's a surrogate womb to replace the mother that left him, or maybe it's a haven from the harsh realities of his life on land. Even as an adult Jacques is awkward and inarticulate on land but graceful and expressive in the water. Besson beautifully illustrates this relationship when Jacques realises he's falling in love with Rosanna Arquette's character. After making love he leaves her bed and spends the night in the sea, finding complete spiritual and physical satisfaction; cleansing himself of his infidelity. Part romance, part comedy, and part drama. This film takes a dark turn towards the end as the various physical and psychological relationships resolve themselves and Besson leaves us with an ending that fades into inky black ambiguity. 8.5 / 10.
Into the beautiful blue
TheLittleSongbird9 November 2017
When one sees that a film is directed by Luc Besson, has music by Eric Serra and that it has Jean Reno, it is hard not to expect a lot. 'The Big Blue' meets the high expectations, if just falling short of exceeding them, while it is a very divisive film and it's not one of my favourites it is a beautiful film and really quite stunning at its best.
'The Big Blue' does fare better in the friendship than the love story. The love story has some sweet and touching moments but it is on the shallow and sketchy side. This would have been made better if more thought was put into Rosanna Arquette's character, if she was made more endearing and that she was better developed. Instead the character felt almost like an afterthought at first and Arquette didn't do much for me sadly.
Regarding 'The Big Blue's' story, it generally, while full of enough things to make the film worth sticking with, is a bit thin for such a long length.
However, the friendship has a lot of charm and warmth, with sprinkles of humour and nostalgia. Besson's direction often is masterly, with an amazing eye for style and visual beauty and he really does bring out the best of his actors. Excluding Arquette, which was largely actually because of the way the character was written (people may be tired of hearing this as an excuse when actors/actresses give not so good performances when working with not so well written characters but actually to me it is a valid one), the acting is very good. The obvious standout is a superb and often very funny Jean Reno, but handsome Jean-Marc Barr also shows why he was deserving of a bigger career.
Eric Serra's music score is a big asset, soothing, understated and hauntingly hypnotic. There is a good deal of charm, also humour and poignancy in the writing.
Best of all when it comes to 'The Big Blue' is the cinematography and the underwater scenes. The scenery is also exquisite. There are many visually beautiful films out there, beautiful doesn't do the sensational cinematography justice. Haven't seen a film with cinematography this good in a while and while Besson's films are all very well made 'The Big Blue' is a very strong contender for his best-looking film. The film to me contains the finest underwater sequences in film, poetic and tear-jerking and the ocean has rarely looked so magnificent and it was clear the camera was in love with it. One moment particularly stands out, the first plunge into the mysterious blackness is simply cinema at its most magical.
In summary, while it didn't quite blow me away 'The Big Blue' is an incredibly well done film. 8/10 Bethany Cox
'The Big Blue' does fare better in the friendship than the love story. The love story has some sweet and touching moments but it is on the shallow and sketchy side. This would have been made better if more thought was put into Rosanna Arquette's character, if she was made more endearing and that she was better developed. Instead the character felt almost like an afterthought at first and Arquette didn't do much for me sadly.
Regarding 'The Big Blue's' story, it generally, while full of enough things to make the film worth sticking with, is a bit thin for such a long length.
However, the friendship has a lot of charm and warmth, with sprinkles of humour and nostalgia. Besson's direction often is masterly, with an amazing eye for style and visual beauty and he really does bring out the best of his actors. Excluding Arquette, which was largely actually because of the way the character was written (people may be tired of hearing this as an excuse when actors/actresses give not so good performances when working with not so well written characters but actually to me it is a valid one), the acting is very good. The obvious standout is a superb and often very funny Jean Reno, but handsome Jean-Marc Barr also shows why he was deserving of a bigger career.
Eric Serra's music score is a big asset, soothing, understated and hauntingly hypnotic. There is a good deal of charm, also humour and poignancy in the writing.
Best of all when it comes to 'The Big Blue' is the cinematography and the underwater scenes. The scenery is also exquisite. There are many visually beautiful films out there, beautiful doesn't do the sensational cinematography justice. Haven't seen a film with cinematography this good in a while and while Besson's films are all very well made 'The Big Blue' is a very strong contender for his best-looking film. The film to me contains the finest underwater sequences in film, poetic and tear-jerking and the ocean has rarely looked so magnificent and it was clear the camera was in love with it. One moment particularly stands out, the first plunge into the mysterious blackness is simply cinema at its most magical.
In summary, while it didn't quite blow me away 'The Big Blue' is an incredibly well done film. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Big Blue is a deep one.
aramo122 April 2002
Warning: Spoilers
Based on R2 DVD 160 min
This is based on the European version of the movie, the shorter American version is not to be recommended.
This is a deep, philosophical almost, story. It explores the relations between two men and the sea. Some of the cinematography is breathtaking.
Sometimes it can be confusing, I'm still unsure how the depth record is established despite several scenes having been devoted to it.
7/10 well worth watching
This is based on the European version of the movie, the shorter American version is not to be recommended.
This is a deep, philosophical almost, story. It explores the relations between two men and the sea. Some of the cinematography is breathtaking.
Sometimes it can be confusing, I'm still unsure how the depth record is established despite several scenes having been devoted to it.
7/10 well worth watching
Not an enjoyable film if story is important to you...
mykungfuistrong8 March 2014
A lot of people seem to rave about the film because they felt emotionally affected by it. I got recommendations to watch this from so many people. And yet when I asked them what it's about, not 1 could tell me. Well, I'll tell you. Essentially, it's the story of two childhood friends who grow up by the sea and develop an obsession with it. Unable to connect with real people, they become world-champion free divers, and the film is basically about them competing for the world record.
This could be an intense, beautifully shot film, but it ends up being long, meandering, and nonsensical. I thought Jean Reno was great in it, as I've known some Italians like him. However, the other characters were completely unbelievable to me, and the story was...well, kind of retarded.
Without spoilers, I will say there are several deaths in the film that are ridiculous and completely avoidable, at least from the way Besson shows them, they are.
The character choices are also ridiculous, with women reduced to broad, sexist stereotypes of becoming easily obsessed with commitment and children, and chasing men with little or no reason.
There are a whole lot of beautiful shots of dolphins and ocean locales, but if you want to see that, you can watch the Discovery Channel or "Planet Earth", no need to make a 3 hour excuse for a story.
In the end, I can't possibly recommend anyone waste their time on this. There are so many better films for nearly any way you could look at it...romance, story, acting, atmosphere, etc.
This could be an intense, beautifully shot film, but it ends up being long, meandering, and nonsensical. I thought Jean Reno was great in it, as I've known some Italians like him. However, the other characters were completely unbelievable to me, and the story was...well, kind of retarded.
Without spoilers, I will say there are several deaths in the film that are ridiculous and completely avoidable, at least from the way Besson shows them, they are.
The character choices are also ridiculous, with women reduced to broad, sexist stereotypes of becoming easily obsessed with commitment and children, and chasing men with little or no reason.
There are a whole lot of beautiful shots of dolphins and ocean locales, but if you want to see that, you can watch the Discovery Channel or "Planet Earth", no need to make a 3 hour excuse for a story.
In the end, I can't possibly recommend anyone waste their time on this. There are so many better films for nearly any way you could look at it...romance, story, acting, atmosphere, etc.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
