Into the Deep is a completely forgettable “modern-day pirates try to capture a little boat on the open sea and encounter a female defender who is more than they bargained for. With sharks.” ‘thriller.’ I’ve lost count of the number of ‘maritime women in jeopardy’ movies I’ve seen over the years (the first, I think, was the first Nichole Kidman movie I ever saw, back when she was still Australian and virtually unrecognizable vs. her current incarnation, called Dead Calm, way back in 1988. With a totally recognizable Billly Zane and Sam Neil, no less.
The only (and most interesting) thing about Into the Deep is the appearance of Richard Dreyfuss – in a shark movie, ffs. Yes, Dreyfuss has gotten a lot of deservedly bad press in recent years, but what’s amazing is even though he’s looking very old (and I should know; he’s older than me!), his natural, easy, intense acting – clearly semi-improv’d, by choice or necessity) – is still absolutely convincing, even compelling, and head-and-shoulders above every other unfortunate actor in the piece. (The Woman in Jeopardy this time was Scout Taylor-Compton, the Laurie Strode in Rob Zombie’s Halloween and its sequel. Ah, well.) Still, as hard as it is to admit it, It is a reluctant joy to watch him work, even in such a diminished capacity in so many ways. Don’t get me wrong, he’s turned into a sad and unpleasant guy in his old age, and it’s not worth spending $7.99 to see him, but if it ever moves to the ‘free’ part of Amazon Prime or Tubi or whatever … it’s a fascinating artifact.
And remind me to tell you the story of how I went to a party in Santa Barbara in 1978 and watched a shit-faced Dreyfuss throw up all over the living room. Repeatedly. And as I recall, proudly. Ahh, good time. Good times.
