No doubt, an engrossing film. I suppose that anything that explores the deep is invariably a fascinating story, and this is one such film.
The story focuses on Roxy Aubrey, her stormy relationship with her trainer, champion diver Paschal Gautier, and her quest for dominance in free diving. It also takes a look on how free divers prepare for such competitions, and what it takes to be ready.
Writer-director Rosenthal based Roxy's story loosely on the real life of diver Audrey Mestre who died at the young age of 28 under similar circumstances in the Dominican Republic in 2002.
The actors portray their roles competently to bring to the screen the life of Paschal and Roxy. The cinematography is splendid capturing the quiet elegance of the deep sea as Paschal and Roxy descend to and ascend from heretofore unknown depths of 172, 180 meters. The shots are realistic complete with air bubbles that the viewer expects something wrong might happen along the way. These are the stuff that enrapt your attention. The viewer also picks up a lesson or two about this arcane world of free diving.
The viewer who's not familiar with Audrey Mestre's story will find the ending somewhat disturbing. Alas, what really happened on that fateful day may never be known.
This film, discomfitting as it may be, deserves our time.
The story focuses on Roxy Aubrey, her stormy relationship with her trainer, champion diver Paschal Gautier, and her quest for dominance in free diving. It also takes a look on how free divers prepare for such competitions, and what it takes to be ready.
Writer-director Rosenthal based Roxy's story loosely on the real life of diver Audrey Mestre who died at the young age of 28 under similar circumstances in the Dominican Republic in 2002.
The actors portray their roles competently to bring to the screen the life of Paschal and Roxy. The cinematography is splendid capturing the quiet elegance of the deep sea as Paschal and Roxy descend to and ascend from heretofore unknown depths of 172, 180 meters. The shots are realistic complete with air bubbles that the viewer expects something wrong might happen along the way. These are the stuff that enrapt your attention. The viewer also picks up a lesson or two about this arcane world of free diving.
The viewer who's not familiar with Audrey Mestre's story will find the ending somewhat disturbing. Alas, what really happened on that fateful day may never be known.
This film, discomfitting as it may be, deserves our time.