The Deep Blue Sea (EUFF)

A hauntingly depressing movie that does not flood nor overwhelm the emotions thanks to the fleeting undercurrent of hope and fiery passion that Rachel Weisz's amazingly outstanding, powerful and emotionally resonant performance brings to the show. Terence Davies skilully adapted Sir Terence Rattigan's play to the big screen but often there was an undeniable sense that this would have been better on a stage, although flashbacks were employed very well here. The words throughout was a beautiful play on the English language that the British excel in, and more so when they are spoken out and given life by the amazing cast gathered. First, and foremost, is Rachel Weisz. She definitely gave one of the best performances of the career, and retrospectively, one of the best of the year (2011/2012). It was a gross oversight that she was not recognised by the award bodies (except by the New York Film Critics) for over 90-arresting minutes she easily commanded the screen and our attention. How Jennifer Lawrence even got nominated (and eventually won the 2012 Oscar for Best Actress) over Weisz is unbelievable. Perhaps, it laid on the fact that the film itself was a small, art house film, that did not gather much of an audience outside the film fest circuit. Nonetheless, Weisz portrayed the complexities of her character through those soulful eyes, be it staring out, staring in, pleading, scared, desperation, love, and it is through those eyes that we begin to understand this woman and come to terms with her choices. Simon Russell Beale was a dignified presence throughout and an amazing actor who lights up each scene that he is in, giving Weisz a worthy opponent to act opposite of. And their scenes together were simply the best. Quiet, poignant, powerful, where words and expressions triumphed over action and bombast. Lastly, Tom Hiddleston too brought his stage sensibilities to the game, and given the more intimate nature of the camera, we get a strong performance by him (and his eyes) in his comparatively few scenes. However, his character was less strongly defined and he was not given as much range to display: alternating between the rakishly handsome lover and the childishly self-centred veteran. Even to the end, he was a conundrum, just a catalyst in the story.