The Big Blue (1988)

Strange and profound drama written and directed by Luc Besson. It tells the story (only loosely based in reality) of Jacques Mayol (Jean-Marc Barr) and Enzo Molinari (Jean Reno), childhood friends who have grown up as rival freedivers. Jacques is virtually half-dolphin and continually feels the pull of the sea, despite – or perhaps because of – the fact that his own father drowned while diving. When Jacques meets the devoted Johanna Baker (Rosanna Arquette), he is torn between a life on land and the world he is truly drawn to. 

I really liked the love story. Arquette has a goofy, ditzy charm that seems incredibly natural and charming. Barr, meanwhile, has a peaceful, zen-like presence on screen that makes him special and magnetic. The freediving competition stuff is interesting, as are the swimming and communicating with dolphins. 

On the down side, the horrible soundtrack of 1980s synth and fretless bass simply doesn’t fit. Also, the film is extremely long and could have been improved by editing. 

I found the humour around Enzo awkward and misplaced. There’s a whimsy to it and a peculiar tone that doesn’t always resonate for me. But the film becomes progressively more serious and compelling as it goes on. Ultimately, it’s able to make sophisticated observations about the value of life in ways that will stay with me. The closing moments are touching indeed.