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.’ The only (and most interesting) thing about it is the inexplicable appearance of Richard Dreyfuss – in a shark movie, ffs. Yes, that Richard Dreyfuss.
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,) Since then, it’s become an almost entirely boring sub-sub genre/niche. You can check out the endless stream of knok-offs and wannabees on Tubi any time you want.
But… Richard Dreyfuss? True, he.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!).But what’sweird is that 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.
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