The Deep Blue Sea

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Cast & Crew

Rachel Weisz
Hester Collyer

Simon Russell Beale
William Collyer

Tom Hiddleston
Freddie Page

Harry Hadden-Paton
Jackie Jackson

Ann Mitchell
Mrs. Elton

Karl Johnson
Mr. Miller

Jolyon Coy
Philip Welch

Sarah Kants
Liz Jackson

Barbara Jefford
Collyer's Mother

Nicholas Amer
Mr. Elton

Terence Davies
Director

Terence Davies
Screenwriter

Sean O'Connor
Producer

Kate Ogborn
Producer

Katherine Butler
Executive Producer

Lisa Marie Russo
Executive Producer

Norman Merry
Executive Producer

Peter Hampden
Executive Producer

Florian Hoffmeister
Cinematography

David Charap
Film Editing

Samuel Barber
Original Music

James Merifield
Production Design

David Hindle
Art Director

Sarah Pasquali
Art Director

Deborah Wilson
Set Decoration

Ruth Myers
Costume Design

Jane Arnell
Casting

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Audience Reviews for The Deep Blue Sea

• Jan 16, 2013

  The Deep Blue Sea is an intricate, subtle and exquisite looking chamber soap opera, set in post war London of 1950. The spare and brilliant adaptation of one of Britain's greatest 20th century playwrights, Terence Rattigan, is brought to life and very much into film language by another Terence (Davies) a filmmaker's filmmaker. Davies has only produced a handful of films in the last twenty years, and this may be his best. Please be warned this film is exceptionally slow moving, with gaping, meaningful pauses you could drive a panzer division through. Since all those pauses are fraught with meaning and precise and deeply felt acting, I was not bored. If you like your movies full of dialogue and action, you might asleep before act one closes. It also jumps back and forth in time, and you need to be alert to figure out where you are in the story. Rachel Weisz plays an lady married to a much older successful judge, who throws away her whole life for love, (or really for good sex) with a younger, dumber war hero (Tom Hiddleston, the bad guy Loki of The Avengers), who is more or less the opposite of the cultured and thoughtful man to whom she is married (Simon Russell Beale). These three actors do wonderful internal work that is full of subtext and deep emotion. They are all perfect, but Weisz is a standout. Hester is a strong, misguided woman trying to find herself in a pre-feminist world and her performance resonates very deeply and hauntingly. The mystery is why a woman (Hester) would throw away a comfortable, cultured life for unrequited love (of which her eyes are fully open) to a man who may be good in bed, but is in no other way worth it. Her attempted suicide is her first reaction. The question is never answered, but the tragic end of the story, (a failed suicide attempt) still leaves a hopeful crack open in the the door for Hester, who has lost everything, to find a fulfilling life for herself. The selling point for me, is the stunning looking film itself. Every shot is a glowing work of art, using the drab post war London as a backdrop. There's a long tracking shot during a flashback during the London blitz, that as stunning and moving a moment in any film I've seen this year. The huddled, frightened Londoners cheer themselves up by joining in song. Later, in the present, some drab looking pub goers do likewise singing the Jo Stafford version of "You Belong to Me" under muted and warm light. Of course that song is a fitting subtext for the film.. The film has my highest recommendation, but don't rent it if you're feeling sleepy (or adulterous).
  Josh M Super Reviewer
• Dec 14, 2012

  No, this isn't the Samuel Jackson shark movie. I wish it were, but it's not. Each year I try to watch as many award nominated movies as possible, and this is a Golden Globe nominee for Rachel Weisz's performance. She plays a woman who is depressed after leaving her husband after an affair with a Royal Air Force Pilot(Tom Hiddleson) in 1950 England. I had never heard of this movie, so went and read the plot and thought "hmm, that could be interesting!" Well, I was way off. This movie is a pretty big bore, with a lot of artsy silent type shots while classical music plays. Weisz's is good, but to me her performance is lost in movie that is more concerned with being pretentious than entertaining. I can see how some people will like this, and those people usually have a vast difference in movie taste than me. So if you don't agree with my reviews, then check it out I'm sure you'll enjoy it a lot!
  

  Everett J Super Reviewer
• Nov 08, 2012

  Exceptional performance by Rachel Weisz but the film is heavy going.
  jay n Super Reviewer
• Sep 15, 2012

  A well-made, involving drama concerning a troubled, younger wife (Rachel Weisz) of a wealthy judge (Simon Russell Beale) caught in a sexless marriage, who has an affair with a former Royal Air Force pilot (Tom Hiddleston), due to her desire to experience physical pleasure. What gives this film more weight than your typical affair story is Rachel Weisz's phenomenal performance, where you care about her character despite her obvious flaws. Really, this film is all about Weisz, who shines in the moment even when the pace of the film threatens on glacial speed. It is a short, emotional movie that does not overstay its welcome, and it explores all of the angles, including Weicz's elder husband who is civil and understanding, but obviously very hurt and distressed. A good film that should be seen.
  

  Dan S Super Reviewer

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