Earlier this year, we lost Sam Neill. In many ways, we’re still reeling from that death. He was a tremendous actor and seemed like a genuinely wonderful human. It’s in the wake of that that we wanted to revisit one of the films he made before his career took off to greater heights in Jurassic Park. Before he was Alan Grant, he was John Ingram in the 1989 thriller, Dead Calm.
Dead Calm & its Characters
Directed by the talented Aussie, Phillip Noyce, the film is based on the book of the same name by Charles Williams. Along with Neill, stars Nicole Kidman as his wife, Rae. The two of them are spending time on a boat at sea. One day, they happen upon a man in a rowboat played by Billy Zane. The man who calls himself Hughie tells of a harrowing story that caused him to be alone at sea. But Hughie doesn’t seem quite right. Bad things ensue.
That’s all the set-up that you need to dive into Dead Calm. The less you know about the film from there, the better. What can be said is that all three stars turn in wonderful performances, especially Kidman. You may go into this film expecting it to be a vehicle for Sam Neill, but Kidman’s the one who steals the show.
Actions Speak Louder
Oftentimes, the strength of a thriller/horror depends on the characters. That is to say, how they act, what they respond to, and how they handle a situation. If characters act in stupid ways, it can take you out of the action. They have to do believable things. Rae is that kind of protagonist. She is very smartly written. She acts with the kind of intelligence and forethought that someone in a tense situation would try to do. Her strength and resolve are remarkable.
That’s not to say that John isn’t the same way. His background as a naval officer informs his decisions and his boating skills. The way he carries himself is consistent with his character too. It’s just more refreshing to see a female character written with the kind of care that is put into Rae. And Kidman just knocks it out of the park. Her talent is on full display and makes this movie really stand out.
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Because it takes place almost entirely in one place, the cinematography has to be dynamic to make up for the lack of variety. It can be very intentionally claustrophobic and keeps the tension throughout. You get to really know and understand the boat. The sense of space is made known to the audience as if it were a character unto itself.
Dead Calm is well-paced, well-acted, and gripping. There are few to no wasted moments or shots. The simple premise allows the audience an easy entry into a taut thriller. We need more films like this. It also serves as a strong reminder that the world was a better place with Sam Neill in it. Check out Dead Calm when you have a craving for a solid thriller this spooky season.
