Dead Calm

source: Dead Calm

Trailer—Dead Calm

Dead Calm

I think this movie stands up very well. As when I first saw it, I think the extra thrill ending is tacked on, unnecessary. Otherwise, pacing, music, acting all combine for solid thriller. Nicole looks different, but almost more fabulous then. Revell's music is superb. Zane is great villain. Sailing knowledge seems first-rate. Tense, taut, highly recommended.

Very unbelievable plot, with a female lead role who can do nothing right and who has no mind of her own to make just one correct and logic decision. Add to it's incredibility a husband who would leave his wife alone on a boat with a strange man with horse lame story in the middle of the ocean while rowing off a mile in a dingy. The couple would surely have called around on the radio to report the alleged accidents on the deserted schooner, and surely the wife would sooner have recalled the man's advice of grabbing the gun early on. In all it's just another of the stories where no one is doing the right and logic thing, every thing that possibly can go wrong goes wrong etc. Predictable, boring, stupid and very ordinary.

I expected a lot more terrifying film than this turned out. Yeah, there were some good scenes but not enough of them, certainly not scary enough to make this a memorable film. This sort of story has been done more than a few times and done a lot better. It isn't that this is a bad movie, it's just one of those you keep saying to yourself, "This should have been better because there are just many things in here that make so sense!" Nicole Kidman was about 21 when she made this and 20 years later, she's as beautiful as ever. Just looking at her is probably the only reason I ever watch this again. Billy Zane was good, however, as the crazed villain.

Dead Calm is one of those rare thrillers with good acting, suspense and great setting. The ocean setting really makes this film, as well as the 2 boats. Kidman is a realistic and resourceful character and because the film had only 3 main characters throughout the whole movie, you go through the same emotions the actors do in the film. The ending seemed tacked on, but because the whole film is so good, the ending doesn't hurt nor help the film. Well paced, acted and overall great movie. 9/10

I absolutely love 'Dead Calm'. It is among my favorite movies, and I've probably watched it 5 or 6 times over the years. 'Lost at sea' stories have always appealed to me and this one is, in my opinion, one of the best ever filmed. The plot and characters are original and quirky, which sets 'Dead Calm' apart from the stacks of other sea tales. This is a truly intense thriller -- packed with so many twists and turns that it's totally compelling from beginning to end. Nicole Kidman is positively stunning as Rae Ingram, a strong and invincible young woman who is determined to rescue her husband, John (Sam Neill). Billy Zane is incredibly good as the villain, Hughie Warriner. He is so convincing and scary that, to this day, I find it difficult to watch Zane in other films without thinking of Hughie. 'Dead Calm' delivers an engrossing story that is well performed and very unique.

I really felt in suspense throughout Dead Calm. Sam Neill as the everyman and Nicole Kidman as his recovering wife were wholly believable as grieving parents taking a vacation to move past their tragedies. Billy Zane as the disturbed third wheel (see Titanic, Head Above Water) in the relationship was also very effective in his role. The suspense builds throughout and leads to a very memorable climax. Recommended, 7/10.