MovieChat Forums > The Reef (2011) Discussion > Watching it now, something bothering me....

Watching it now, something bothering me..

posted 14 years ago by TheCoops
5 replies | jump to latest

Where I'm at now, they are setting off for the swim (well some of them anyway). My issue is that they all seem so nonchalant about their situation. I mean, really? Do they realize what kind of situation they are in, stranded in the middle of the ocean? Besides the one woman who had shown anxiety over swimming "to an island they can't see", everyone is pretty calm. Even the one "know-it-all" guy just cracked a joke about how this swim was a one in a life time experience, followed by smiles and chuckles from his companions. Just strikes me as odd behavior.

~Lan~

[–] bombstalker 14 years ago

That's what I liked about it... they didn't spend ages fretting and shouting about the true horror of their situation, they just got on with it and dealt with it. Besides, the lead guy's a seasoned sailor, with decent survival knowledge so it's probably exactly the kind of thing you're supposed to do in that kind of situation - keep a cool head, make decisions and get on with it.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Jaymb72 14 years ago

You just have to get on with it and try to remain focussed. Panic will destroy you in seconds. That is what they say. However I would be *beep* bricks with that Great White stalking me I can tell you. The shark would get me first by following my human waste trail.

[–] tohu 14 years ago

I think you are being a little harsh, to be honest. My take on it was that they were trying to keep their spirits up - you could see how nervous they were but Luke, as the leader, knew their best chance was for everyone to stay positive. His 'once in a lifetime experience' line isn't delivered with a sarcastic grin or anything; its just him trying to make the best of it and stay upbeat. But you can see they are all bricking it, really.

Where I did think they were a bit too nonchalant was later on, when they spot the island and they are all grinning and laughing at the dolphin, and one of the girls chuckles about how 'finally the current is helping!' This is just hours after they've sen their brother/lover/best friend eaten alive by a great white shark. I get that they were relieved to see land, etc., but its a bit much that they are laughing and so happy.

Great film though. I really enjoyed it overall.
_____________

"Maybe I should go alone"
- Quint, Jaws.

[–] hypnosis 14 years ago

Where I did think they were a bit too nonchalant was later on, when they spot the island and they are all grinning and laughing at the dolphin, and one of the girls chuckles about how 'finally the current is helping!' This is just hours after they've sen their brother/lover/best friend eaten alive by a great white shark. I get that they were relieved to see land, etc., but its a bit much that they are laughing and so happy.

But that is elation. After getting to a point of almost giving up, they were given some hope (seeing the island), and then a terrifying shock (the dolphin)...they were totally in survival mode, and their response to the reveal of the dolphin was so identifiable to me. One could argue that it was the calm before the storm in film making, as Suzie was abruptly taken after this...but I feel that it was an organic response that would have worked just as well without the attack. The actors did some seriously great work in this film. It's quite frustrating when people criticize them for not allowing their characters to be logical or clear-headed in some of these intense scenes.

Blue Valentine/Williams/Gosling/Weaver/Hawkes