cohorts in the genre, it doesn't rely overmuch on narrative twists and turns.
The complexity lies more in the characters than in the plot. Using one of
Hitchcock's favorite devices - the "wrong man" theme - The Deep End is more
of an old-style thriller, that the Master would be proud of. In fact,
without the modern explicit language and sex, this could be a classic
thriller of the Golden Age. With each scene, the writers tighten the screws,
heightening suspense without the benefits of cheap tricks like gunfights or
car chases.
Margaret Hall (Tilda Swinton) and her three children, Beau (Jon Tucker),
Paige (Tamara Hope), and Dylan (Jordon Dorrance) live in a nice upper class
house in a wooded parcel on Lake Tahoe. Also, in residence is Margaret's
father-in-law Jack (Peter Donat). Her husband Tom is away (often), serving
aboard a navy carrier. Domestic problems are abundant on the homefront.
Beau, a newly self-aware homosexual, is carrying on an affair with a man 12
years his senior; the rather sleazy Darby Reese (Josh Lucas). The film opens
Margaret wishing Darby to leave her son alone. He agrees for a price of
$5000, which she refuses. Darby visits Beau that night and a fight breaks
out between the two lovers. Soon there's a dead body, a mysterious
blackmailer (Goran Visnjic), and a police murder investigation. Margaret
herself is covering up what she believes to be her son's crime. Saying more
would be unfair, since it would reveal more than just the setup. The Deep
End is consistenly suspenseful, reinforcing a rule that is rarely
acknowledged or adhered in thrillers - no flavor of tension is more potent
than the psychological variety. It isn't necessary to employ camera tricks,
action scenes or cheap, over-the-top theatrics to craft an effective
thriller. This axiom is typical of the classic Hitchcockesque thrillers.
The Deep End is successful because of the strong performance by the main
characters, Tilda Swinton and Goran Visnjic. Swinton's down-to-earth
portrayal of Margaret is an acting job that people will remember all year
long. Swinton's performance draws us into the story and allows us to accept
the coincidences and contrivances that the storyline throws in our direction.
Playing opposite Swinton is Goran Visnjic, as The Deep End's male answer to
the Femme Fatale. He gives a solid performance. I only wish the other
characters were more willing to emerge and support the lead roles. Jonathan
Tucker is barely credible, and Hope, Dorrance and Donat seem just to exist as
window dressing in the film. The location of the film on the shores of Lake
Tahoe allow the camera to move confidently among the scenes of the majestic
landscape of Lake Tahoe, which is given ample exposure through out the film.
The movies' weak point is that it doesn't end cleanly. The film is almost
undermined with too many loose ends and plot holes. Certain situations are
improbable, but somehow they still tie the characters together. The Deep End
is unquestionably a thriller, but, in an odd way, it's also a love story. At
the film's emotional center is the question of what a mother will sacrifice
for her son - what lies she will tell and what blame will she accept to keep
him safe. The overall result is a very memorable thriller.
Rating: 3 stars (out of 4)