Dead Calm

Dead Calm – 1989, Phillip Noyce

Drama. Pure nautical drama. Based on a book but you’d believe it was based on a play given that the whole film basically has a cast of three and takes place in two locations. This was the second time an adaptation had been attempted; the first was never finished, probably because it was made by Orson Welles, who had a habit of not finishing what he started.

Sam Neil (42 at the time) and his young wife Nicole Kidman (22) are out on their yacht in the middle of the Ocean when homicidal maniac Billy Zane (only 23 but looking a lot older the way Mediterranean fellows do) turns up to rock the boat. A simple premise that results in high drama, the dramatic accomplishments of the film are probably due more to the cast, story and screenplay than the direction. The film is tense and gripping while remaining realistic, right up until the slightly goofy ending which was re-shot as a reaction to early screenings. It’s not enough to spoil a good film though.

Each of the cast has made at least one film every year since appearing in Dead Calm, but Billy Zane’s career has been the least impressive. If you were to think about it you could name at least three good films starring Sam Neil, probably more, and of course we all know what Kidman went on to do. Poor Billy, he deserved better. I suppose he’ll always have Titanic.

It was quite timely that Love Film sent me this one as Phillip Noyce’s latest film, the Angelena Jolie vehicle Salt is soon to be released in Cinemas. If you’ve seen the trailer, you’re probably as disinterested in Salt as I am. I do quite like the fact that Noyce is keen to direct different types of films though. In fact it’s hilarious that the guy who directed Blind Fury also directed Rabbit Proof Fence. Excellent diversity Noyce.