How Deep Is the Ocean (2023) User Reviews

A little Aussie gem!

[AKamp79 · 8/10 · 23 February 2024]

As an Aussie, I watch a heck of a lot of Australian Indie films - and I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Writer/Director Andrew Walsh's debut film 'How Deep is the Ocean' is a character study of a young 20-something, Eleanor, who arrives in Melbourne, Australia, trying to make a new life for herself. Over the course of the next year, we see her drift from job to job and dealing with low-life Aussie men.

There's nothing huge or momentous that takes place - it's a simple film about life, love, and simply getting by in this world. Interesting to note is that the film didn't have a full screenplay. The storyline was set, but the actors had to improvise dialogue. This results in a film that feels genuine, even if a little awkward at times.

Worth a look!

A total trip

[HSaid · 8/10 · 16 January 2024]

Eleanor's compelling journey unfolds against the urban tapestry of Melbourne in 'How Deep Is the Ocean.' Fildes delivers a captivating performance as the enigmatic drifter, navigating a world of exiles and outcasts. The boarding house, cynically named, becomes a crucible of human connections skillfully portrayed by Cochrane. Amidst dead-end jobs and futile affairs, the film intricately weaves a tale of resilience and missed connections. 'How Deep Is the Ocean' transcends its title, emerging as a metaphorical canvas where life's victories, losses, and profound lessons are masterfully depicted. Eleanor's compelling journey unfolds against the urban tapestry of Melbourne in 'How Deep Is the Ocean.' Fildes delivers a captivating performance as the enigmatic drifter, navigating a world of exiles and outcasts. The boarding house, cynically named, becomes a crucible of human connections skillfully portrayed by Cochrane. Amidst dead-end jobs and futile affairs, the film intricately weaves a tale of resilience and missed connections. 'How Deep Is the Ocean' transcends its title, emerging as a metaphorical canvas where life's victories, losses, and profound lessons are masterfully depicted.

Casts a Spell

[echapman7 · 8/10 · 14 November 2023]

This quiet, contemplative film takes a bit to hit its stride, but once it does, it casts a spell. It benefits from having a beautiful actress in the lead who is likely destined for big things, Olivia Fildes as the mysterious, mercurial Eleanor. She is well matched by her new flat mate, the alcoholic, unstable but affable comedian, Roy, played by Cris Cochrane. Their seemingly improvisational scenes pull the viewer in with the rhythm of everyday life.

Much of the movie plays out in long, uninterrupted takes. It is a testament to the writing and performances that they, mostly, hold the audience's attention. One early exception is when Eleanor commits an act of rebellion at a dead-end job. It unspools in desultory fashion, a missed opportunity for a bigger payoff.

But at its best, this reminded me of Greta Gerwig/Noah Baumbach collabs like Frances Ha. Poignant observations about life from a young person's point of view in an uncaring world with fleeting moments of grace. The closing piano theme is a fitting and beautiful note to fade out on.

Olivia Fildes Owns this Slice-of-Life

[prjbii-32681 · 10/10 · 29 January 2024]

Actress Olivia Fildes brings a tremendous amount of charisma and empathy to her role of Eleanor - a drifter with no roots but with a desire to find love and community. From the moment she enters the frame, we want to know more about her, invest ourselves in her journey of self-discovery, and ultimately see to it that she finds what she seeks.

The movie wisely never treats Eleanor like a helpless victim nor a pathetic loser. It chooses to simply follow her through her many episodes of friendship, love, and ultimate heartbreak, allowing us to see ourselves in her situation. When the final credits role, we feel that we have been with Eleanor throughout her journey and feel a mix of sorrow and hopefulness that she will find a place to plant her roots at the end of the road.

Big credit also goes to director Andrew Walsh for his shot selection, often choosing to keep the camera at a distance with minimal cutting, allowing for a naturalistic environment for the actors to create the scene.

See it for Olivia Fildes. She has so much to offer.

Solid Indie Film

[undergroundprods · 9/10 · 5 January 2024]

I thoroughly enjoyed this film written and directed by Andrew Walsh. He set a nice tone and flow from the get go and continued it through out the film with wonderful ambient music. The natural performances bring you into the story and make it all believable. I was happy to go along for the ride. Was an interesting slice of life and a very relatable character in Eleanor who is struggling to make ends meet upon her arrival in Melboure, Australia. Enjoyed all the supporting characters as well. They did some interesting and solid work. Definitely worth watching! Look forward to more films from Andrew Walsh in the future.

Great Aussie Indie Gem!

[andreastoumbas · 9/10 · 21 December 2023]

How Deep is the Ocean is an Australian indie film about a girl named Eleanor who runs from her mysterious and troubled past to start anew in Melbourne, moving in with alcoholic Roy. Elanor is played by the brilliant Olivia Fildes, who is just so natural and mesmerising, and you can't help stay glued to the screen when she's on. The same goes for her alcoholic housemate Roy, played Cris Cochrane. Even though he is a mess, he's got so much charm and charisma and you can't help love the guy. The chemistry and banter between Elanor and Roy is so good, and I loved watching them on screen together.

How Deep is the Ocean is the debut feature from Australian director Andrew Walsh, who does a great job directing this beautiful little gem. The film is well shot and the dialogue seems to be very much improvised, which gives it a real natural feel. It made me feel like I was actually there with Elanor, just feeling lost and helpless in Melbourne, which Roy sarcastically and repeatedly describes as the "World's Most Livable City". I believe the director Andrew Walsh has directly responded to Melbourne having that tag for so many years, and seems to be the overall theme and message of the film.

Overall, this is a great indie film, which has a really chill vibe to it, making us go on this journey with the strange and loveable girl in a strange and loveable city.

Good depiction

[darrenldowns · 8/10 · 2 December 2023]

Good depiction of Melbourne and what to expect if you're moving here with little in your pocket. Impro style works well and the space it creates draws you in to the story and the characters. Andrew Walsh makes a lot of films typically set in Melbourne, depicting raw characters and this is his first feature, which he has pulled off in great style. I'm sure this will open doors to more! The locations work well, the characters are strong and the actors portraying the characters are good choices. Some faces are familiar, having seen them in other productions and films. Music is very effective too!

Intimate and extremely well acted!

[IanGabrielG · 9/10 · 25 November 2023]

I loved this intricate and very well acted indie drama. Olivia is a great actress. A quiet drama like this would not work without some amazing, nuanced performances, and luckily the casting was spot on in this film. The lead actress is very beautiful and she definitely commands the screen. The film was very well shot, especially the exteriors around Australia. It had great use of locations and the moody but not overwhelming score at the end was right on spot. I really enjoyed this subtle drama told from the perspective of this young woman. If you're tired of over the top films and the overacting of daytime television, and you're looking for something intimate this movie is definitely for you. Excellent little film.

Great Watch

[MayhemFilmKreations · 6 March 2024]

A young woman, out of her element and in over her head, tries to find her way in a new city. Moving into a room in a house with a creepy drunk guy we watch her struggle to find a new job and adjust to her new living situation. As she struggles she tries to find love in all the wrong places and pays for her naive mistakes. In this raw and humorous film we see just how friendships can be formed in the strangest ways and coming of age can take a toll. Being that the film was improvised it's quite impressive. The characters are very realistic and natural. The camera work and picture is very well done and being shot in Australia it's an interesting watch.