As "Deep Water" (2022 release; 115 min.) opens, we are introduced to Vic and Melinda, a married couple with a young daughter. For reasons unknown, Vic allows Melinda to have lovers on the side. Vic and Melinda are going out to a party, where Melinda meets up with her latest flame. Vic is not happy about it... At this point we are 10 min into the movie.
Couple of comments: this is the return of director Adrian Lyne, whose previous film was "Unfaithful", 20 years ago. Lyne was in his late 70s when this film was made, but he hasn't changed his modus operandi one bit since his heydays in the 1980s (Flashdance; 9 1/2 Weeks; Fatal Attraction). "Deep Water" is based on the 1950s Patricia Highsmith novel of the same name. I haven't read the book so I cannot comment how close the film sticks to the book. What is clear is that with "Deep Water" Lyne attempts to revive the so-called "erotic psychological thriller" genre. Alas, it didn't quite work out that way. For that the storytelling is simply too thin and I was never fully invested in the film or in its characters. Ben Affleck tries his best with the weak material that he is given. Cuban actress Ana de Armas is obviously very attractive (and reminding of a Penelope Cruz of yesteryear). But in the end the various parts of the film don't really add up. When I think of "erotic psychological thriller", "Body Heat" immediately comes to mind. This ain't "Body Heat".
Please note that this film was shot in 2019, yup, pre COVID-19, and its theatrical release was delayed a number of times until it was pulled from the theatrical schedule altogether. The movie finally premiered on Hulu this weekend. If you are a fan of Adrian Lyne's 1980s heydays, I'd readily suggest you check this out (keeping expectations low), and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this is the return of director Adrian Lyne, whose previous film was "Unfaithful", 20 years ago. Lyne was in his late 70s when this film was made, but he hasn't changed his modus operandi one bit since his heydays in the 1980s (Flashdance; 9 1/2 Weeks; Fatal Attraction). "Deep Water" is based on the 1950s Patricia Highsmith novel of the same name. I haven't read the book so I cannot comment how close the film sticks to the book. What is clear is that with "Deep Water" Lyne attempts to revive the so-called "erotic psychological thriller" genre. Alas, it didn't quite work out that way. For that the storytelling is simply too thin and I was never fully invested in the film or in its characters. Ben Affleck tries his best with the weak material that he is given. Cuban actress Ana de Armas is obviously very attractive (and reminding of a Penelope Cruz of yesteryear). But in the end the various parts of the film don't really add up. When I think of "erotic psychological thriller", "Body Heat" immediately comes to mind. This ain't "Body Heat".
Please note that this film was shot in 2019, yup, pre COVID-19, and its theatrical release was delayed a number of times until it was pulled from the theatrical schedule altogether. The movie finally premiered on Hulu this weekend. If you are a fan of Adrian Lyne's 1980s heydays, I'd readily suggest you check this out (keeping expectations low), and draw your own conclusion.