MovieChat Forums > Open Water (2004) Discussion > Is this some elaborate prank?

Is this some elaborate prank?

posted 15 years ago by jbowser09
48 replies | jump to latest

I watched this movie and I can quite certainly say it is one of the worst movies I have seen. I mean, the ending of her drowning herself, in retrospect, is pretty intriguing, but other than that I felt like I was just waiting for some kind of plot or even character development to happen.

I can forgive the bad lighting/sound/acting because it was an independent film and had a very low budget, but I can't forgive the script and the direction. There is just nothing to this movie.

But, getting to my confusion. I am honestly wondering if people on this board are just messing with me. And I mean the people who keep saying over and over it's for people who are smart, patient, people who think, etc. And I don't understand that one bit.

What about this movie makes you think? I've read people saying that it makes you think about the idea of being lost at sea. To me, that's ridiculous. There is hardly any emotion in the script/direction/acting while they're stranded until Daniel starts yelling, and then that just turns to them bickering and hashing up old fights, which seems unrealistic to me. It could be how some people would act, but for me it just didn't seem convincing.

And, of course, the other emotion turns up in, oh, the last ten-fifteen minutes when Daniel gets killed and Susan is left by herself. But, I gotta say, for a couple moments I thought the Susan-letting-Daniel-go bit raw and it actually struck a nerve with me, but then it disappeared into being overly drawn out to the point where I wasn't even sure if that was what was happening.

So, without the conviction and emotion behind this movie, I don't see how it can make people really think and feel how it would be to get stranded at sea. To me, it's the equivalent of reading a fairly detached article about what may happen if one got lost at sea. This movie just doesn't do it for me at all. Walking away from this movie is one of the very few times that I've walked away and actually felt angry and insulted, like the man who made this movie was trying to make me suffer.

I like weird, slow movies that are trying to imitate the grittiness of real life as well as movies that make me think and leave me pondering. I also know I am a smart person.

So, please, can someone tell me how this movie is at all good? How does it make one think? How do you have to use your brain in order to fully appreciate this film? Because I am at a total loss- to the point where I think the people who are actually applauding this movie are pulling some kind of sick prank.

[–] moviewizguy 15 years ago

So, please, can someone tell me how this movie is at all good? How does it make one think? How do you have to use your brain in order to fully appreciate this film? Because I am at a total loss- to the point where I think the people who are actually applauding this movie are pulling some kind of sick prank.
I don't know about the whole "brains" part but I'll tell you why it's a good movie: Suspense.

This film, with Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch Project, is the type of film that will usually polarize the audience but get rave reviews from the critics. Critics appreciate horror movies that let them use their imagination to create their own fear. Audiences, however, would actually like to see what's happening and that's the problem of today's horror films. People think having gore and violence in film makes a good horror movie. It isn't. It's all about the suspense. Alfred Hitchcock once said suspense is the anticipation leading to a ticking time bomb. This idea describes the layout of the three films I've mentioned above perfectly. There's an underlying constant dread - a slow burn feeling - in these three films. It's not until the end where the films actually have the bomb explode and some people don't like that.

Some people like seeing many bombs exploding from beginning to end. These movies, however, rely on the audience's imaginations to scare themselves. This is why some people hated PA, TBWP, and Open Water, while others loved it and I understand why some people don't like these movies. I stand on the side where I like using my imagination, which is why I found PA to be the scariest movie I've ever seen. So maybe you're just not into this type of film.

[–] er-guille 15 years ago

Congratulations Moviewizguy. Your's is one of the best thought posts I've ever seen here. And I can probably guess you're not a professional critic (gut-call, nothing to base that on), but just a movie-goer, but your explanation on the reason why people love/hate movies like this, BWP and PA is brilliant. I can tell about Blair that it kept me in the edge of the theater seat (and the living room couch) everytime I see it. Haven't seen PA but now, i'm certainly going to start looking for it.

Friends are the family that we choose

[–] josepimenta10 14 years ago

I liked Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch Project. I hated this movie. No music, lame camera work, lousy actors, bad script. Suspense?! this stupid movie made me laugh on how bad it was.. this must be a prank really.. One of the worst movies i have ever seen.. cant believe how it's not a 2* movie.. Ridiculous.. So many good independent movies out there and i had to watch this piece of bull.

[–] Kevinology_Rises 12 years ago

I didn't like PA or BWP because they both had no decent characters or storytelling, and the dialogue was absolutely crap. This film didn't exactly have strong characters or story either, but the thing that makes it better is the scenario, which is a lot more realistic than the other two. I find it easier for myself and my imagination to become immersed in something like this as opposed to a "story" about witches or ghosts that's marketed as found footage.

Both PA and BWP rely entirely on the audience jumping at shadows, and their imagination. Trouble is, I'd have to think "Imagine if I were in that situation", which doesn't work, because if I actually was in that situation I'd probably be laughing. The whole ghost and witch nonsense is preposterous to me, I can't buy it when it's filmed with an almost documentary style approach and claimed to be true (in supernatural horrors that aren't marketed as found footage or a documentary, I can suspend disbelief easier). However, if I was stranded in open water with sharks circling my feet... that's another matter, it's a very real threat and very chilling to think about.

"Can you fly, Bobby?"

[–] El_Guapo_Caballo 11 years ago

You nailed it, moviewizguy. Excelent,

[–] kaze (349) 6 years ago

He didn't nail anything. This movie is a classic 10/10.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] DeltonP 10 years ago

I enjoyed all three of the "polarizing" movies being discussed here, but not equally.

The Blair Witch Project — 9/10

Paranormal Activity — 8/10

Open Water — 6/10

After two viewings of this one – when it was first released in 2004 and again this weekend – I just didn't think it was as good as it could have been and didn't stick with me like the other two films did.

[–] ffp61 15 years ago

I just finished this movie and came here to read the trivia section, and I'm a little surprised about these "brain" and "think" arguments on this board. I had recorded it a while ago and actually just wanted to "get it over with" me so I can delete it, and I was tired anyway and wanted to doze off.

How surprised I was to find out that this movie kept me awake and left me with a funny feeling in my stomach. For me, it has nothing to do with using my brain, the story and camera work simply appealed to some of my darkest fears, obviously... there is no need to overanalyze it, this is a simple movie with not much going on but the forgotten-in-the-middle-of-the-ocean plot, but it managed to convince me, to deliver the feeling of being lost, of not knowing what's going on beneath you, of being helpless - so yes, it made me think. Think what I would do, how long I would survive, if I was heroic or a coward, would I fight with the one who's with me in that situation, would I simply shut up and so on...

I must say I'm glad I watched it, I liked it, it worked for me (even if I must say some of the conversation seemed a little out of place, but that might be due to the German dubbed version I was wathing)- but I don't have to (over)use my brains, it stimulated my imagination - and I'm still a little upset...

[–] marcus-203 15 years ago

For *beep* sake please warn before posting spoilers the next time...

[–] myhairsucks 15 years ago

I really don't think the film needed more in terms of character or plot development - in fact I think it might have ruined it. This film isn't perfect, but it is unique, and brilliant study at what might happen if you were left in the middle of the ocean.

In all honesty, what would you rather? The whole film gear towards the couple, in a moment of sudden (and convenient) clarity, heroically fighting off every single shark in the vicinity and swimming to safety as they realize that is their only chance for survival? Perhaps some added drama halfway through as the girl suddenly reveals that she's had an affair with some other guy, and she has to survive this ordeal for the sake or her unborn child??

I'm sorry, but the plot and the characters in this film feel real, and that's what makes it a good film, and an engaging watch. That stuff I said before is either very unlikely to happen in real life or is just downright impossible - and so no, this film doesn't need added plot or character development. I forget whether or not it was based off a true story, but even if it isn't it's still the kind of event that could realistically happen to you on a diving holiday, and as a result does a much better job at making audiences feel like it's not safe to go in the water than Jaws ever did.

People liking this film is certainly not some elaborate prank, it just happens that some film-goers don't look for every single movie to be made from a Hollywood checklist.

"You fill your days with creating worlds which have meaning and order because ours doesn't."

[–] veilside_z 14 years ago

I loved TBWP, that was scary. I thought PA was tedious and massively over-rated. I'm kind of indifferent to OW, it was alright, but even at 1 and 1/2 hours it seemed too long and the incompetence of the boat crew just got on my nerves.

[–] MsBungle 15 years ago

First of all, Yyou really need to have a spoiler alert for your post...People who have never seen this movie are going to have it ruined by your lack of a warning.

Second, since you had a reaction to it, it most likely is a good thing, whether it was positive or not. You keep questioning what other people are saying about it. Who gives a rat's ass what other people think about it? What do YOU think about it? Apparently you were "angry and insulted" which, though it may not sound positive to you, is a reaction nonetheless that seems yet to be worked out on your end. Please save your revelatory comments for those who have already seen the movie, either way.

[–] keith123300-1 15 years ago

This isn't a Hollywood film, it's a raw and realistic film.

The plot and character development that you say you were waiting for would have spoilt the film completely. To have any kind of elaborate storytelling would be a mistake for this film.

If you really got stranded in the ocean then this is what it would be like. To portray it any other way would be pointless. This sin't some cheap entertainment popcorn flick or even a thriller, it's a portrayal of sheer reality.

[–] sweavo 15 years ago

But you do get character development. You see their relationship put through trials even though almost nothing happens on the screen, always two heads and a load of blue. You get the slow processing through all the emotions from idignation to blame, to anger, to despair, and the way the two people express their feelings towards one another; the way each reacts to their partner's danger and injuries. It's no masterpiece but I was impressed how much they managed to get into a movie essentially about floating about helpless.

[–] Moishar 14 years ago

Hi,are you seriously angry&insulted or you are trying to be funny? No offense, from reading your post i can tell you are a very very superior being as well as a very smart person,but Susan did not DROWN herself,she was pulled down*Poof* Gone.She took off her floaters because she has given up&knew sooner or later she was going to die. Second,seriously,what do you want them to do?Cry&scream for the whole movie?If you want to watch something with more action&emotions,go watch Deep Blue Sea, for those sharks are very intelligent with micro-chips,just like how intelligent you are.
Ooops,pardon moi monsieur,i am a very stupid person to really get why you are insulted anyways.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] dbrockskk1 11 years ago

You're wrong. she drowned herself. You sound like you're in jr high.

suzycreamcheese RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008

[–] eru0527 11 years ago

Yeah she *SPOILERS* definitely drowned herself. Absolutely no question. She even took a huge clenching her body and holding her breath like one would do if they wanted to go under water/sink.

And I agree that this, Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity were good. It's not the best films ever made, but I think they are above the average/median movie I see.

These films, I won't call them "horror" because many people only call films that have many bloody deaths that (though that is actually a slasher), but these films that show you very little of the menace that is around you I find to be very much more effective than when you see the ghost/killer/whatever all the time. I mean I even think Cloverfield was an incredibly tense movie because of how it was filmed, though that was just suspense not "horror"

The Blair Witch did it best out of TBWP, Open Water and PA. And I'm not only talking about "found footage" style movies, I think any horror film should show very little direct shots of the horror terrorizing the characters. But if we exclude Open Water and talk only found footage I have to say I love that genre, because it's narration from one fixed point of view, very effective and also it gives a reason to let much happen just slightly off-screen. Which might be hard to have a reason for in a regularly styled film, like constantly barely missing to film the monster in Cloverfield or having the camera turned off when things happen in the blair witch.

I love it when high tension films do a slow-burn and not telling/showing 100 % of the story until it finally flames up. I'm mostly thinking about horror films but it worked very well in Cloverfield too.

[–] hottmale_____ 14 years ago

Totally agree. Definitely up there as the worst film I've ever seen.

As for people moaning about spoilers.. there are no spoilers as nothing actually happens. The movie is garbage so if you've not seen it then don't bother!

Can't believe this is getting mentioned in the same breath as the Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity which, lets be fair, are 2 of the best low-budget horror films ever made. Open Water is up there with the worst.

[–] ringram 14 years ago

Well, I have to say I liked the film very much. The film is so simple yet holds interest and tension throughout. The end is pure pathos. So refreshingly un-Hollywood, shows that engaging thought provoking and entertaining films can be made on the tiniest budget.

I re-watched it with my girlfriend last night, she gets bored with films very rapidly (her comments on Avatar are unprintable!), she liked this film.

Those of you who don't like it aren't wrong, you just don't like it. Likewise, those of us that do like it are not wrong either :)