Kolo P
This film is probably a common tragic story for wandering youth or young adults where the protagonist Eleanor seems to aimlessly drift from one pointless human encounter striving to find some meaning or happiness.
We know fairly little about her apart from her broken family history back in Adelaide and interestingly she spurns the advances of the one character who may likely give her the comfort and security that she really needs in her wandering life.
Despite the occasionally obvious improv dialogue the film actually has a more realistic script than many indie films that try to create natural speech interactions and results in a jumble of words that people often use if conversation.
How Deep is the Ocean is a thoughtful film that does a good job of exploring the loneliness that runaway youth or drifters experience each day. The long unbroken scene takes will likely challenge those with a 3 second attention span but the beauty is in the ability to stop and watch the characters closely and in this Director Andrew Walsh gives us full serving.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
10/21/24
Full Review
D A
Genuine and Authentic Coming of Age
"How Deep is the Ocean" is a moving and poignant coming of age indie film that starts out with waves crashing on the beach and a faceless woman walking into the ocean fully clothed. We quickly meet Eleanor Gray (Olivia Fildes) a young woman who has recently moved to Melbourne and rents a room from Roy (Cris Cochrane) an alcoholic older man who despite the fact has a roof over his head is as lost as Eleanor. After landing at Roy's, Eleanor loses her job and we start to witness the inner waves of Eleanor, a young woman looking for answers in all the wrong places. A series of events begin to unravel taking Eleanor deeper and deeper on a path she's not sure why she's on-only that she is. Writer-Director Andrew Walsh captures the film in true indie fashion letting his scenes play out and allowing his actors the space to feel their feelings. This is a film full of humanity and longing for that "something" we all can't help but feel is beyond our reach. Watch it.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
10/14/24
Full Review
Jim E
A beautifully crafted film that blends emotional storytelling with striking visuals, leaving a lasting impression without feeling overly dramatic. What stands out most is the lead actress’s performance—she brings a quiet, powerful presence to her role, portraying a woman navigating grief and complex family dynamics with authenticity and subtlety. The relationships in the film, particularly between the mother and daughter, are handled with a delicate realism that makes every moment feel significant.
The coastal setting is captured in a way that feels both vast and personal, with gorgeous cinematography that uses natural light to great effect. The underwater scenes are particularly memorable, adding a dreamlike element that deepens the film’s exploration of loss and connection. The pacing is thoughtful and unhurried, giving the story time to unfold naturally, while a sense of quiet tension builds as deeper truths come to light.
The film’s sound design also deserves praise—the presence of the ocean is almost tangible, adding to the reflective tone. If I had a small critique, it would be that some of the supporting characters could have been fleshed out more, but overall, How Deep is the Ocean is a beautifully acted and visually engaging film that invites viewers to sink into its depth and stay with its emotional resonance long after it ends.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
10/13/24
Full Review
Ruby C
How Deep is the Ocean is worth a watch. It is a mostly improvised film without much scripted dialogue and is well acted. It is an exploration of Eleanor, played by Olivia Fildes, finding herself in a new environment, the larger city of Melbourne, where she is just looking for a job and will not settle for just anything. She faces unexpected and unfortunate circumstances and the film shows the complexities and realities of living and surviving in a big city. Harsh lessons are learned, but most importantly, life keeps on moving forward.
I loved the shots of Melbourne, the camera work and the natural dialogue. This gave me of feel of Cassavete's Shadows, a raw experimental take on the communion and relationships of people. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to see more of Andrew Walsh's work. This is not your conventional film and it was beautiful exploration of the human condition.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
09/22/24
Full Review
Ashley C
As an American watching an indie drama set in Australia, I was distracted by the beauty of the country and the intricacies and struggles of Australian life. While we can all relate with the struggles of everyday life I found it interesting seeing such portrayals in a world I'm unfamiliar with.
Olivia fiddles is an excellent actress in portraying the struggles and realities of life. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to walk out on my job but never had to guts to do so; it was satisfying seeing her pull the trigger on what I couldn't do.
The film takes a very impromptu approach in its film making style. The scenes seem to almost unfold naturally as Olivia deals with the struggles that director, Andrew Walsh, dishes at her time and time again! If you're interested in seeing the struggles of a young Australian coming of age definitely give How Deep is the Ocean a try!
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
09/11/24
Full Review
Dan H
"How Deep is the Ocean" succeeds in what matters most for an indie, low-budget film: it tells a heartfelt, compelling story with characters that we genuinely care about. At the center of the film is Eleanor Gray (Olivia Fildes), a young woman who moves to Melbourne from a rural town in Australia. With little more than the clothes on her back, Eleanor is truly a fish out of water, trying to reinvent herself in a city where she's penniless and alone.
Eleanor rents a room from Roy (Cris Cochrane), an alcoholic and well-meaning older man whose messy life offers her little in the way of stability. As she struggles to find work, meet new people, and eek out an existence, Eleanor's journey is filled with bad decisions, awkward relationships, and moments of real misfortune—including a mugging. Yet, despite her stumbles, the audience remains emotionally invested in her story, rooting for her through each misstep.
"How Deep is the Ocean" is a touching, genuine story that draws you in through its relatable characters and universal themes. We've all met people like Eleanor and Roy—well-meaning but flawed individuals just trying to get by. Olivia Fildes and Cris Cochrane deliver standout performances, elevating this indie gem into something truly memorable. This is a story about survival, reinvention, and human connection, and it resonates in a way few films manage to do these days. A heartfelt and worthwhile watch.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
09/09/24
Full Review
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