Very dark and plodding French film won't be a favorite for m
Bob Lind | Phoenix, AZ United States | 10/04/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"In the 2008 French film "J'ai rêvé sous l'eau" (I Dreamt Under The Water), we follow university dropout Antonin, a bit of a slacker who spends late nights with his musician friends, including the focus of his unrequitted love, Alex. When Alex dies of an overdose, the devastated Antonin wanders aimlessly into habitual drug use and gay sex, eventually starting to turn tricks to put a roof over his head. When a repeat client offers him a job at his video store, Antonin at first declines, but later accepts it when he takes a "time out" and seeks out a reunion with his old friends, through which he meets Juliette, seemingly a kindred spirit but with a dark secret of her own.
This is an extremely dark, plodding film on many levels, including a directorial style that will turn off many viewers. The film has minimal dialogue, and most of the story is revealed by carefully watching the scenes, which the director often chooses to present in very dim lighting or distracting strobes, or with "artsy" double exposures and blurred images. Except for Hubert Benhamdine's role as Antonin, I also found the acting contrived and overdone, for the most part. Mostly French with English subtitles, although the songs are in English. Would be rated NC-17 for graphic (gay and straight) sex. DVD extras only include trailers. In my opinion, this is a disappointing 2 stars out of 5."
I dreamt under water
bigboyone | johnson city , tn | 11/11/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"ok, don't like the premise of someone who is gay changing in 2 minutes
to 'straight' , illogical at best.
well crafted except for that
acting was faily well."
I dreamt under the water....
Christopher Haddon | 08/22/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While at times strange and otherworldly.....and somewhat heinous, I really enjoyed this movie. It was certainly worth the price and I am very pleased.
Thank You.
Christopher Haddon"