The Deep End of the Ocean (1999)

Director:

Ulu Grosbard

Writers (WGA):

Jacquelyn Mitchard (book)
Stephen Schiff (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 March 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The search for her son was over. The search for her family was just beginning.

Plot:

The Deep End of The Ocean is a film about a family's reaction when Ben, the youngest son is kidnapped and then found nine years later, living in the same town, where his family had just moved.

Plot Keywords:

Family Relationships | Childhood Memory | Childhood Trauma | Disappearance | Reunion

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Beth Cappadora
Treat Williams	...	Pat Cappadora
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Candy Bliss
Jonathan Jackson	...	Vincent Cappadora - Age 16
Cory Buck	...	Vincent Cappadora - Age 7
Ryan Merriman	...	Sam Karras / Ben Cappadora - Age 12
Alexa Vega	...	Kerry Cappadora
Michael McGrady	...	Jimmy Daugherty
Brenda Strong	...	Ellen
Michael McElroy	...	Ben Cappadora - Age 3
Tony Musante	...	Grandpa Angelo
Rose Gregorio	...	Grandma Rosie
John Kapelos	...	George Karras
Lucinda Jenney	...	Laurie
John Roselius	...	Chief Bastokovich

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language and thematic elements.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #35554) | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | Philippines:G

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

After Pat and Beth have a fight (following Ben's disappearance), Pat goes for a ride in his car and young Vincent comes along to smooth the waters. In his hand, he plays with a cassette tape. It is the soundtrack to Grease 2 (1982), which starred Michelle Pfeiffer.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: When Beth pulls into the garage, a boom mic is reflected in the driver's side window.

Quotes:

Vincent Cappadora - Age 16: You were just lying there not scared or anything
Sam Karras: I know that's what I remembered, that I wasn't scared, because I knew you'd come and find me

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

Soundtrack:

Zorba's Dance

Stand-out Character Dynamic

THE DEEP END OF THE OCEAN **** Jacqueline Mitchard's bestselling tearjerker is incorporated into this heartfelt, emotional motion picture about losing a loved one, rising above certain challenges from which point, and finally experiencing a saving grace. Ulu Grosbard's cast is exquisite, with Michelle Pfeiffer playing the mother of three kids who attends a high school reunion, and accidentally loses the younger son. A search for the little guy wasn't over for weeks upon weeks, until our family had to face facts that he wasn't coming home. But the most unexpected thing happens about nine years later when a boy comes up to mow the lawn, whom the family believes is the long-lost child. Treat Williams is great as the man-to-lean-on husband who wants to do the right thing. Whoopi Goldberg adds a nice touch as Detective Bliss. Amid its interesting theme, the character dynamic stands out - from how the players respond to each other through the horrific circumstance, to mutually reaching a place of forgiveness and comfort, with each other and in themselves. One of the more rewarding films I've seen lately.