The Deep End Reviews
neverteaseaweasel
Super Reviewer
December 10, 2009
Tack up another winner for Tilda Swinton! She is an actress that never ceases to astound me. She is such a dominating force onscreen, but she never over acts or overdoes it. The story is really anything new, but amazingly enough its actually pretty confincing. The whole end with Goran Visnjic's character was a bit far-fetched, but everything else seem completely plausible. That is not something that happens very often in Thrillers. Its tense and desperate, Swinton's role almost reminded me of Mellisa Leo's in Frozen River. It pretty visual, and there are some noir touches. I would not say that "The Deep End" and extraordinary or amazing, but it is really good. I was held captive through just about the whole thing, and that does not happen all that often- even with movies I like.
RCCLBC
Super Reviewer
June 8, 2009
A fairly predictable story, made interesting by a great cast and solid performances.
In an attempt to save her son from an "unsavory" relationship, Margaret (Swinton) unknowingly sets in motion a chain of events that slowly puts her entire family at risk. And perhaps more interestingly puts her in a positon to better understand how we are sometimes attracted to people who we know are bad for us.
Swinton is (as usual) amazing!
Beautifully shot film.
A fairly predictable story, made interesting by a great cast and solid performances.
In an attempt to save her son from an "unsavory" relationship, Margaret (Swinton) unknowingly sets in motion a chain of events that slowly puts her entire family at risk. And perhaps more interestingly puts her in a positon to better understand how we are sometimes attracted to people who we know are bad for us.
Swinton is (as usual) amazing!
boxman
Super Reviewer
February 24, 2006
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Tilda Swinton plays a normal mother living on the banks of Lake Tahoe. Her days usually consist of trying to ship her kids to school on time and handle the duties of the home in the long stretches her Naval officer husband is gone. She’s juggling responsibilities and chores when her first strike of maternal protection occurs. Her 17 year-old son is, to her great surprise, in a relationship with a sleazy man in his 30s. She discovered this when her son got into a serious car accident while this paramour was traveling with. The scene of the crash is replayed in flashbacks for Swinton as a motivational jump-start for her protection and love.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Swinton tells the man she doesn’t want him seeing her son any longer, but of course he refuses to desist… unless the price is right. This revelation sends her son to a late night confrontation at home that ends in the accidental death of the sleaze. Mom sees her son rush back into the house in the middle of the night and decides to go out and investigate. On her stroll to her horror she finds the dead body of her son’s lover. From that moment on something in her clicks and Swinton clumsily tries to hide the body and any evidence that could incriminate her own brood.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Just when Swinton believes her headaches are over a dark and handsome stranger (Goran Visnjic) visits her one day. He has within his possession a videotape of her son having explicit sex with the dead lover. He threatens to turn the tape into the police and thus destroy the peace Swinton has created. The video can be hers, but she must pay him and his unseen partner the sum of $50,000.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Swinton is best known as the gender-swapping title figure in ‘Orlando’ based upon Virginia’s Woolfe’s story. The Scottish actress has a wonderfully pallid face and soulful eyes that express every moment the determination and fear she wrestles with. Swinton gives a remarkable performance of pure emotion. She is a mother determined to protect her son and family at every cost, no matter the means. She is constantly in over her head but refuses to relent. Swinton’s portrayal is a woman running on maternal instinct and she herself is the very gravity that makes ‘The Deep End’ as great as it is.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Visnjic currently plays a Croatian doc on ‘ER’ but has a provocative presence in this flick. He’s got the smoldering good looks and his character opens up more and more as the tale progresses to strip away pretensions layer by layer.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]‘The Deep End’ is directed, writen, and produced by David Siegel and Scott McGehee, with only one other film to their credit all the way back in 1993. They inject their story with great moments of character and suspense but also have a terrific visual eye to create mood. The cinematography is lush and hypnotic with certain moments of exquisite beauty. Even the music adds to the feeling of the film unlike so many other accompanying scores. Every component of ‘The Deep End’ is just clicking.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]‘The Deep End’ is a luminously tight thriller with remarkable performances. They story has a few implausible moments but outweighs them with heapings of great dramatic depth. Swinton better be the first choice on everyone’s lips when the name of Oscar rolls about, because I doubt I’ll see a performance more elegant and wonderful as hers this year.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate’s Grade: A [/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]In the vast wasteland the summer has become of mediocrity and sub-mediocrity go to your local art house. There you may very well see ‘The Deep End’, a dramatic thriller that burrows itself into the audience’s mind. The film is an absolute breath of fresh air in the stagnant summer finally winding down.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Tilda Swinton plays a normal mother living on the banks of Lake Tahoe. Her days usually consist of trying to ship her kids to school on time and handle the duties of the home in the long stretches her Naval officer husband is gone. She’s juggling responsibilities and chores when her first strike of maternal protection occurs. Her 17 year-old son is, to her great surprise, in a relationship with a sleazy man in his 30s. She discovered this when her son got into a serious car accident while this paramour was traveling with. The scene of the crash is replayed in flashbacks for Swinton as a motivational jump-start for her protection and love.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Swinton tells the man she doesn’t want him seeing her son any longer, but of course he refuses to desist… unless the price is right. This revelation sends her son to a late night confrontation at home that ends in the accidental death of the sleaze. Mom sees her son rush back into the house in the middle of the night and decides to go out and investigate. On her stroll to her horror she finds the dead body of her son’s lover. From that moment on something in her clicks and Swinton clumsily tries to hide the body and any evidence that could incriminate her own brood.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Just when Swinton believes her headaches are over a dark and handsome stranger (Goran Visnjic) visits her one day. He has within his possession a videotape of her son having explicit sex with the dead lover. He threatens to turn the tape into the police and thus destroy the peace Swinton has created. The video can be hers, but she must pay him and his unseen partner the sum of $50,000.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Swinton is best known as the gender-swapping title figure in ‘Orlando’ based upon Virginia’s Woolfe’s story. The Scottish actress has a wonderfully pallid face and soulful eyes that express every moment the determination and fear she wrestles with. Swinton gives a remarkable performance of pure emotion. She is a mother determined to protect her son and family at every cost, no matter the means. She is constantly in over her head but refuses to relent. Swinton’s portrayal is a woman running on maternal instinct and she herself is the very gravity that makes ‘The Deep End’ as great as it is.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Visnjic currently plays a Croatian doc on ‘ER’ but has a provocative presence in this flick. He’s got the smoldering good looks and his character opens up more and more as the tale progresses to strip away pretensions layer by layer.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]‘The Deep End’ is directed, writen, and produced by David Siegel and Scott McGehee, with only one other film to their credit all the way back in 1993. They inject their story with great moments of character and suspense but also have a terrific visual eye to create mood. The cinematography is lush and hypnotic with certain moments of exquisite beauty. Even the music adds to the feeling of the film unlike so many other accompanying scores. Every component of ‘The Deep End’ is just clicking.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]‘The Deep End’ is a luminously tight thriller with remarkable performances. They story has a few implausible moments but outweighs them with heapings of great dramatic depth. Swinton better be the first choice on everyone’s lips when the name of Oscar rolls about, because I doubt I’ll see a performance more elegant and wonderful as hers this year.[/color][/font]
[font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate’s Grade: A [/color][/font]
John B
Super Reviewer
June 23, 2008
Reminds you that Tilda Swinton wasn't always well known for playing a witch. Not memorable for Goran whatshisname but definitely for Tilda. Wow!
Nicolas K
Super Reviewer
July 4, 2011
A pleasant surprise. A thriller with more than one twists. Tilda Swinton is a delight to watch.
Sunil J
Super Reviewer
May 28, 2008
My favorite of Tilda Swinton's roles. It's dark but she's strong and I prefer it when she plays regular people.
May 13, 2012
For the most part ... the filmmakers and performers invest a high level of intelligence and sympathy into The Deep End.
November 12, 2011
As a thriller, it isn't that great. But as a sheer character study and an acting showcase, "The Deep End" is good stuff. Swinton gives a gripping performance as a mother trying to do what she can to keep her family together. This would include hiding the dead body of a man she suspects was killed by her eldest son. This is where a lot of the suspense lies. McGehee and Siegel don't do a whole lot with it in terms of plot twists, but it does set up for a nice relationship between Swinton and Visnijic. Their interaction keeps the movie interesting even if the plot slowly loses its edge. "The Deep End" works thanks to its compelling characters. It just would have been nice if the storyline was better developed.
dredzag
June 13, 2007
Tilda Swinton does whatever it takes to protect her gay son after he accidently kills his boyfriend. A good thriller.
ben46975
August 11, 2008
The story of what a mother will go through to protect her son. Tilda Swinton is amazng in this movie!
August 2, 2008
Large parts of this movie were incredibly unbelievable. There were just too many chances for her to have gotten caught, for her to have NOT gotten caught.
July 25, 2008
This is when I fell in love with Tilda Swinton's acting. Fully showcases her abilities and strength. Show's how far a mother will go to save her son. Great extra's on the DVD too.
aprilgsu2007
June 25, 2007
Not to mention the stunning performance of Tilda Swenton this movie is a thriller that makes you want and crave more. This suspenseful, tear-jerker is a must see!
tylerrosier2002
June 24, 2007
Absolutely brilliant movie! Although it has some bad language and deals with some controversial issues, it emerges as a classical piece of what proper cinematography should convey. Tilda Swinton gives the performance of a lifetime and proves that she is one of the greatest actresses of our time.
May 28, 2007
Gem of a movie that takes its time to let Visnjic and Swinton act marvelously together. Interesting musical and stylistic choices make this a neo-noir that is less concerned with being tense than establishing a certain mood. Worth watching, but moves at its own pace and can be boring for those who are not prepared.
wizardoftacoma
January 9, 2007
domestic thriller, a naval officer's wife and mother of three, disposing of the body of a sleazy 30-year old club owner, who died in an accident after a confrontation with Margaret's closeted 17-year-old gay son Beau 9Jonathan Tucker]. A video tape of the dead man and her son together having sex. And a man threatening to expose her son to the police
September 15, 2012
Tilda Swinton is awesome, as always, which is why I watched it. I thought the story was kind of ridiculous, however. I could have lived without watching this, but Goran Visnjic is hot, so I guess it wasn't so bad. I thought the actors deserved a better movie, perhaps one that involved Goran taking his shirt off instead.
