Gulli is a fisherman who lives and works out of the south coast of Iceland. The film opens in the bitter darkness, establishing the hard conditions of the world he lives in. On another routine fishing trip his boat capsizes, leaving him alone in the freezing northern Atlantic ocean, attempting to survive. Based on actual events, this really is an good story about survival in extreme conditions. Baltasar Kornmakur's The Deep is really an ode to the fisherman that risk their lives everyday. The film does a good job at establishing this blue collar lifestyle in which these men live. For some of these men alcohol and cigarettes are their two biggest treasures in this cold, desolate terrain in which they live. The biggest place where The Deep fails in delivering much of an emotional response outside of primal aspect of being stranded in the middle of the ocean. We get a little time with these man but not enough to feel much of an emotional connection since many of these men are hardly established. There is really good imagery throughout, specifically how the ocean is depicted as this black, stark force. Another visual choice which stood out is how the sun is not shown in the film until Gulli returns home, on the brink of death. Between these visual decisions and some intense use of music, which may have been a little overbearing, The Deep creates an effective atmosphere. Baltasar Kormakur shows much appreciation for these men and the film touches a lot on not only the story of survival, but the aftermath of being the sole survivor in an ordeal like this. Gulli is viewed as a national hero, though he was merely just trying to save his life. When the film gets emotional about one of the other character's wife and kids, it doesn't really work, much for the same reasons as the other crew members. Baltasar Kommakur's The Deep may falter outside of Gulli, in its ability to touch the viewer emotional, but it is effective in capturing this amazing story of survival and a tribute to fishermen of Iceland. 7.5/10
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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