About the film (courtesy of Focus Features):
A heart-pounding film that follows seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements to rescue their crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface.
Alright, let’s dive into Last Breathe, a film that promised a tense, underwater thriller, but ultimately delivered a mixed bag. As a movie enthusiast, particularly one who appreciates a well-crafted plot and strong performances, I found myself going back and forth between moments of genuine suspense and stretches of predictable, sometimes lackluster storytelling.
The premise itself is intriguing: a deep-sea diver becomes trapped, battling dwindling oxygen and the crushing pressure of the ocean depths. The initial setup is effective, drawing you into the claustrophobic environment and the protagonist’s desperate struggle for survival. The cinematography, especially the underwater sequences, is commendable, capturing the eerie beauty and terrifying isolation of the abyss. You can almost feel the chill and the weight of the water.
However, where Last Breathe falters is in its character development and narrative depth. The pair of veteran divers (Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu) along with the less-experienced diver (Finn Cole), while portrayed adequately, lacks the necessary emotional resonance to truly grip the audience. We are given snippets of their backstory, but they feel rushed and superficial, failing to establish a strong connection. Consequently, when the character faces dire circumstances, the emotional impact is muted.
The plot, while initially gripping, quickly devolves into a series of predictable situations. The obstacles faced by the diver feel contrived at times, and the solutions, when they arrive, often seem convenient rather than earned. The tension, which should have been sustained throughout, ebbs and flows unevenly, leaving the viewer with a sense of anticlimax.
The acting, while not terrible, is uneven. Some of the supporting performances feel wooden, lacking the conviction needed to elevate the material. The lead actor does their best with what they’re given, but the script doesn’t provide enough substance to showcase their full range. The attempts at building suspense are often undercut by clunky dialogue and predictable plot twists.
The overall entertainment value of Last Breathe is average. It’s not a terrible film, but it’s far from a memorable one. It’s the kind of movie you might watch on a quiet evening, but it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression. For those seeking a truly gripping underwater thriller, there are several alternative options available that may be more of a general crowd pleaser.
In the end, Last Breathe is a film that had potential, but ultimately fell short of its ambitions. It delivers some visually appealing underwater sequences and a few moments of suspense, but it lacks the depth and emotional resonance to be truly compelling. On the plus side of this is the fact that director Alex Parkinson doesn’t try to over sensationalize this story based on true events. After all, sometimes live events can be rather unspectacular, right?
Last Breathe is still a worthy watch as long as the story reels you in and keeps you hooked. See it only in theaters starting Friday, February 28.
