Le grand bleu (1988)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Luc Besson

Writers:

Luc Besson (story)
Luc Besson (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

22 September 1988 (West Germany)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Between what you know and what you wish, lies the secret of... [The Big Blue]

Plot:

Enzo and Jacques have known each other for a long time. Their friendship started in their childhood days in the mediterranean...

Plot Keywords:

Diver | Italy | Dolphin | Diving | Sea

Awards:

3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Rosanna Arquette	...	Johana Baker
Jean-Marc Barr	...	Jacques Mayol
Jean Reno	...	Enzo Molinari
Paul Shenar	...	Dr. Laurence
Sergio Castellitto	...	Novelli
Jean Bouise	...	Uncle Louis
Marc Duret	...	Roberto
Griffin Dunne	...	Duffy
Andréas Voutsinas	...	Priest (as Andreas Voutsinas)
Valentina Vargas	...	Bonita
Kimberly Beck	...	Sally (as Kimberley Beck)
Patrick Fontana	...	Alfredo
Alessandra Vazzoler	...	La Mamma (Enzo's Mother)
Geoffrey Carey	...	Supervisor (as Geoffroy Carey)
Bruce Guerre-Berthelot	...	Young Jacques

Also Known As:

The Big Blue (Philippines: English title) (UK) (USA)
Le grand bleu, version intégrale (France) (director's cut)
Le grand bleu, version longue (France) (director's cut)

Runtime:

168 min (extended version) | France:132 min (original cut) | USA:118 min (edited version)

Country:

France | USA | Italy

Language:

French | English | Italian

Colour:

Colour (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Canada:A (Nova Scotia) (edited US version) | Canada:G (Quebec) (edited US version) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) (edited US version) | Portugal:M/12 | Australia:PG | Denmark:11 (director's cut) | Finland:S | France:U | Norway:10 (1989) | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 (original rating) | USA:PG (original release) (edited for re-rating) | USA:R (director's cut) | West Germany:12 | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Agia Anna, Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece

Company:

Gaumont

Trivia:

This film was such a hit in France that it played for over a year in theatres.

Goofs:

Continuity: Jacques takes off his sneakers, then jumps into the pool with his sneakers on (although in the director's Cut we see him replace his shoes).

Quotes:

Johanna: What's it feel like when you dive?
Jacques: It's a feeling of slipping without falling. The hardest thing is when you're at the bottom.
Johanna: Why?
Jacques: 'Cause you have to find a good reason to come back up... and I have a hard time finding one.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Paap (2003)

Soundtrack:

MY LADY BLUE

Enchanting

A captivating film that appears almost magical. Fine performance by Jean-Marc Barr that is too easily overlooked. His sensitive portrayal captures one's heart and mind and locks you in for the duration. Well backed up by Arquette and Reno with perhaps too much taken out for the US release. Watch and enjoy and allow yourself to be taken on a magical journey into and through a mans heart and soul. Congratulations to all involved. This one is a modern day classic.