The Big Blue Film Diary

My fourth choice of French film was The Big Blue, another Luc Besson film that was released in 1988. This movie had both a sweeping story and beautiful cinematography. Enzo and Jacques are childhood friends that enjoy free diving (diving with no oxygen tank). Jacques's father is also a diver and after his tragic death in the Mediterranean Sea, the two boys grow older and lose contact. Enzo ends up living in Sicily, where he gains the title of the uncontested free diving champion for six straight years. Jacques is living in the Peruvian Andes and works for a group of scientists. There he meets Johanna, a young security office clerk that witnesses his dive into cold water that leads to monitoring results from the scientists that Jacques's physical condition is more like a dolphin than a human. Johanna becomes fascinated with Jacques but for a while, she is not successful at developing a true relationship with him. Enzo calls for Jacques to compete for the title in a championship in Taormina, Italy. Johanna becomes aware of the competition and knows Jacques will compete. She convinces her firm to send her to Italy on "business purposes", after making up a story. Jacques easily defeats Enzo, fueling their intense rivalry that seems tragic because of the lost childhood friendship that the two once shared. Jacques and Johanna develop their feelings for each other even though it appears that he is unable to commit himself. The heavy competition causes the men to dive down to dangerous depths. Johanna attemps to stop the life-threatening dives but nothing can stop them. Both Enzo and Jaqcues die and their souls are at rest in the sea. Johanna however, is heartbroken and her plans of having a future with Jaqcues are ruined.

Enzo and Jacques both have a strong passion for the sea. Enzo uses his diving talents to achieve high personal status and glory. To Jacques, the ocean is so much more. It is home to his dolphin friends and represents an infinite freedom. Their different views and passions make their rivalry stronger to escalate the inevitability of their demise. Because of his beliefs, abilities, and strong connection to the sea, Jacques is not able to respond to Johanna's love for him. The story represents a message about man's fascination with the sea and it's limitless depths and beauty. The ocean is also a vast, dangerous part of nature that can never be underestimated.

The cinematography stands out in this film. There are amazing underwater sequences that look as if they belong on an IMAX screen. The camera moves along the silver surface of the water and then plunges into the deep blue sea where dolphins roam. The movie tends to drag at times and some events seem overdramatized. The Big Blue tells an interesting story but in the end, still comes across as mainly "eye candy".