'Maelström (2000)' is a pseudo surrealistic drama directed by Dennis Villeneuve. It's only his second feature, so it's perhaps natural - though not inevitable - that it isn't as good as his more modern work. The picture moves at an odd pace which sees its most interesting aspect squeezed into what's essentially its final act. It also takes a fair while to set itself up, with the plot point that IMDb uses as a summary occurring over halfway in. It's generally quite slow, too, and isn't as engaging as it could have been. Having said that, it's still a solid effort. The direction is confident if somewhat complacent, the acting is believable and the writing is relatively witty. The picture aims for an almost Pedro Almodóvar-like vibe in which coincidence drives the plot, with fate seeming to do more work than the protagonist. This makes for a distinct experience that doesn't try to emulate more conventional fare, even if it also reduces (or seems to reduce) the activeness of the lead. One of the flick's most intriguing aspects is the fact that it is narrated by a fish who's in the process of being butchered by a grimy fishmonger in what seems to be an underground torture chamber. To be honest, this kind of feels out of place with the rest of the piece, primarily because it's much more surreal than anything else that happens. It just doesn't fit with the flick's generally grounded aesthetic, seeming much more like the sort of thing Jean-Pierre Jeunet would include in his overtly quirky and cartoon-esque worlds. Still, it's an enjoyable element and it's likely to be the thing that sticks with you the most after the movie is over. In general, this is a solid drama with good performances and an unconventional story. It's perhaps a bit too simple for its own good, but it's entertaining enough for what it is. If the pace was tighter and the characters were more compelling, I could see this being a bit of a sleeper hit. As it is, though, it's a more-or-less average early entry in a distinctly above average filmmaker's filmography. 6/10.
Review of Maelstrom
