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Open Water (R, 2004)

common sense media says

Intense relationship story isn't for kids.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie isn't for kids. Although it has been called a modern day Jaws, it isn't a shark movie at all -- the sharks are merely background characters here. This low-budget, dialogue-heavy indie is really about the complex relationship between a married couple, and it will bore teens who are expecting a fast-moving horror movie with high-tech special effects and lots of gore. There are scenes of intense peril that may be too much for sensitive kids. There are shark attacks and we see blood, but the extreme danger the characters face is worse than any actual violence we see. There is a scene in which the couple talks about having sex (we see the woman naked), but they decide not to go through with it. There's a lot of strong language (which isn't too surprising given the couple's dire circumstances). The ending may shock and upset some viewers.

Positive messages: The only main character of color is the inept captain that inadvertently leaves the couple behind. Also, the couple are downright nasty to each other at times during their ordeal.
Violence: Intense peril, shark and jellyfish attacks (some blood) and death.
Sex: Shots of a naked woman lying in bed; she and her husband talk about having sex but end up not doing it.
Language: The couple use lots of profanity in frustration at their situation.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some people at the hotel are shown drinking, but if you blink you would miss it.
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More on Open Water

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the various reactions the couple have as they begin to understand how serious the situation is. Is it natural to assign blame at a time like this? How do the underlying problems in their marriage manifest when they find themselves stranded?

What's the story?

What's the story?
OPEN WATER is loosely based on the true story of a couple that was abandoned on a scuba trip in Australia. In this version, an overworked yuppie couple named Susan (Blanchard Ryan) and Daniel (Daniel Travis) take a last-minute vacation to a Caribbean island when they realize they've started to drift apart and need to reconnect. They go on a scuba trip, and they have a great time exploring the eels and sharks beneath the surface. Unfortunately, the captain messes up the head count and the boat heads back to shore without Susan and Daniel. It takes a while for the couple to realize that they're stranded in the open sea, but it quickly sets in as they have to deal with stinging jellyfish, cold temperatures, nausea, leg cramps, dehydration, and deadly sharks. As time passes, more sharks begin to circle, and the chance that they're going to be rescued lessens, they fight, blame each other, and ultimately cling to each other, bound by hope and love.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Open Water is definitely not for the Shark Tale crowd -- this is a very intense movie that is for adults only. Although the movie may appeal to teens who think it's a Jaws-like thriller, it's likely to disappoint them when they find out there are no fancy special effects or horror movie-like stylings.

It's ironic that it takes horrible circumstances to bring the couple back together, but the way they react reveals much about their marriage: Susan resents Daniel for not being ambitious, while Daniel resents Susan for always putting work first. Each blames the other for getting them in the predicament at hand, but they're really arguing about more than the current circumstances. As the situation becomes more dire and desperation sets in, they put the pettiness aside and lean on each other. The impending sense of doom is what makes this movie so disturbing -- the uncomfortable feeling one gets from watching these characters realize how bleak the situation has become is far worse than the sight of any blood or sharks floating around.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Lionsgate
Director: Chris Kentis
Cast: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 79 minutes
Theatrical release: August 6, 2004
DVD release: December 28, 2004
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: language and some nudity
This review was written by Beth Pratt
 
 

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What parents & educators say

17

Most useful reviews by all members

directerdude123
teen, 18 years old
15
 
not as good as i thought it would be
If teens like intense horror movies then this is not for then. this movie is not about the horror it is about the married couples relationship. A couple is stranded in the ocean and they fight with one and swear. Because this movie is low budget the camera is bouncy but the acting isn't bad. The end of the movie is unexpected and horrible! and it is still not worth sitting through. GO ELSE WHERE!!!!
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homogayhomo
kid, 3 years old
2
 
this movie was so unbeliably gay.;....
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Krbbup
adult
 
Horrible Movie
At first I thought this was going to be like Jaws or Deep Blue Sea, but I was terribly wrong. The whole movie is full of terrible language, one clothing malfuction, and a horrible ending. Basically the whole movie is about two people (husband and wife) who go on a scuba trip only to be left by their scuba captain. The rest of the movie shows the two trying to stay alive as they are attacked by sharks and other sea creatures. The ending is the most disturbing part. The husband dies because he lost too much blood (shark bite) and then the wife drowns herself. So all in all, if you want to see a good shark movie, watch Jaws. This is NOT a kids movie.
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a_rayment
adult
 
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wwechampion
kid, 11 years old
15
 
Open Water
Rated R FOR Language And Some Nudity
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challenger
teen, 15 years old
15
 
The point is that it is in fact based on a true story. So by clling the movie stupid, you are calling the real event stupid. There is some concern about the nudity, but the main concern isn't a concern, it's just that there is alot of gore and blood when the characters are killed by sharks and stung by jellyfish.
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eddie8108
parent of 18 year old
17
 
sad stupid and scary
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Sonia Montejano
adult
 
what happened?
I felt that movie drag on quite a bit.. i mean, they're floating in the water. Its almost pointless because you know the outcome. Don't take a kid who is afraid of the water!!
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sharksjaws1
adult
 
Stupid stupid stupid stupid
You do not want to watch this movie!!! its so idIOTIC!!!!!!! if you thought this would be like jaws boy your wrong!!!! In the end the women drowns herself (im pretty sure she feeds herself to the sharks) DONT WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!
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ForHim
adult
 
disappointing
This was one of the dumbest movies I've seen in a long time. It was so predictable. Basically the whole movie was about two people floating in the water. In fact, the fact that these two people ended up floating in the water was pretty far fetched. I was really disappointed in this movie.
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fuzzykat805
teen, 18 years old
 
ok
This movie I should nnnoooooooootttttttt have seen. I had nightmares that were really scary. The movie isn't too scary, But how you think about what will happen to the couple is the scary part. Every second that they are in the water you think they will die.
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sbdreamin
adult
 
Too scary for kids!
As a surfer, I try hard not to 'scare' myself silly with shark movies, but for some reason popped this one in the DVD. This is too scary for kids and will definitely give sensitive ones nightmares. Kids shouldn't have to be exposed to the terrible things that are highly unlikely to happen in life to them or their family. If you want a scary 'animal preys on human' movie, stick to 'Jaws', but don't let your kids under 15 watch that one either, unless you don't care if they ever learn to swim! On a cinematic value note -- this one could have been much better, just some better camera work could have made it more suspenseful.
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the phantom
teen, 16 years old
 
this movie is so dumb...............
this movie is tarted there out in the ocean you know they are going to die so why make the time-wasting movie also it shows a guys you know which also wasnt needed oh also a womens anatomy so dont watch this movie
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ckallan
adult
 
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