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      The Big Blue

      PG Released Jan 1, 1988 1 hr. 58 min. Adventure Action Drama List
      62% 21 Reviews Tomatometer 93% 25,000+ Ratings Audience Score Director Luc Besson is famous for his imaginative visual technique and breathtaking action sequences. One of the most stunningly beautiful films ever made, "The Big Blue" features gorgeous underwater photography and spectacular location shooting in the French Antibes, the Greek islands, Peru, and Taormina in Sicily. But it is the emotional intensity of the film experience and mystical themes of the story that have made it a cult phenomenon. Read More Read Less
      The Big Blue

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      Critics Consensus

      Though this movie features beautiful cinematography, it drags on, being way too overblown and melodramatic.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Aender S This film encapsulates the claustrophobia so deep under the sea and its potential to be an escape from life. All presented with beautiful, mostly marine shots and most music played with some level of reverberation, making the viewer few like being in a concert hall. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/16/24 Full Review Big B A beautiful dreamlike film from Luc Besson. A truly life changing film for me, the beginning of my discovery of Besson and his other films. The combination of comedic interplay between Renos' Enzo and Barr as Mayol with the gorgeous cinematography and perfect Èric Serra score make this movie a unique experience that I feel is unsurpassed in cinema. A deep thought provoking and romantic film that deeply affects people who get it and appreciate this piece of art. I have now watched all available versions of this film and plan to visit the Greek Island location of the filming within the next year to try to get close to the magic of this truly magical and meaningful work. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/02/24 Full Review William H I was expecting more from a Luc Besson film. La Femme Nikita was my baseline for a great film. The BB had a weak storyline and lasted way too long. I was bored by the last half of the film. Skip this one. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/09/23 Full Review Michael H Great watch, just saw it for the second time - still great Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/16/23 Full Review BillBoo Le Grand Bleu plonge le téléspectateur dans une nostalgie irrationnelle, par son atmosphère candide et authentique. Pourtant la profondeur de l'histoire touche notre sensibilité, l'amour que l'on éprouve envers l'océan, et, dans une certaine mesure, envers les abysses et animaux marins. J'ai été enchanté par le choix de commencer le film en noir et blanc, tant et si bien que j'en suis venu à me demander s'il n'aurait pas été pertinent d'opérer ce choix sur l'entièreté du film. Cependant, cela nous aurait privés de la beauté des couleurs océaniques et polaires que nous propose Luc Besson. Le tandem formé par Jean Reno et Jean-Marc Barr fonctionne à merveille dans des dialogues écrits avec intelligence. D'un côté, l'extravagance d'Enzo Molinari, à la fois ami et rival de son ami d'enfance ; d'un autre, Jacques Mayol, taciturne et déphasé, qui n'a d'autre intérêt que la plongée sous-marine à laquelle il se voue tout entier depuis l'accident de son père lorsqu'il était enfant. N'ayant vu que la version longue du film, je ne peux me prononcer sur la version courte ; le rythme est maîtrisé pendant les 2 h 45 de film. La musique d'Eric Serra mérite tous les éloges, qu'il s'agisse des scènes dynamiques comme des scènes contemplatives. La fin, inéluctable et poétique, conclut le film en beauté, et ainsi que je l'espérais, à savoir que Jacques Mayol rejoint bel et bien son père dans les eaux abyssales, aux côtés de dauphins. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/02/22 Full Review Audience Member I love the ocean, and the cinematography here is some of the most beautiful visuals that i've ever seen on film. I got to swim with a dolphin because of this inspiring movie, but the story and characters could have been fleshed out allot better. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/16/22 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Photos

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      The Big Blue

      The Big Blue (1988) The Big Blue (1988) Jean Reno and Rosanna Arquette in a film by Luc Besson. Jean-Marc Barr and Rosanna Arquette in a film by Luc Besson. Jean-Marc Barr in a film by Luc Besson, also starring Rosanna Arquette and Jean Reno. Jean-Marc Barr in a film by Luc Besson in The Big Blue, also starring Rosanna Arquette and Jean Reno. View more photos

      Critics Reviews

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      Mark Sanderson Time Out The first time you see someone plunging into alien blackness is exciting, but the novelty soon wears off. May 30, 2018 Full Review Steve Macfarlane Slant Magazine Besson's deep-diving melodrama stresses its own depth-emotional, artistic, oceanic-while ping-ponging between its two lead frenemies. May 30, 2018 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Such a total disaster that it would have been an act of kindness for all concerned to have never released it. Rated: 0/5 Oct 16, 2012 Full Review Film4 A hypnotically beautiful and metaphysical delight. Oct 16, 2012 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com One of a kind movie. Rated: 4/5 Nov 6, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Jun 17, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Director Luc Besson is famous for his imaginative visual technique and breathtaking action sequences. One of the most stunningly beautiful films ever made, "The Big Blue" features gorgeous underwater photography and spectacular location shooting in the French Antibes, the Greek islands, Peru, and Taormina in Sicily. But it is the emotional intensity of the film experience and mystical themes of the story that have made it a cult phenomenon.
      Director
      Luc Besson
      Screenwriter
      Luc Besson, Luc Besson, Robert Garland, Marilyn Goldin, Jacques Mayol, Marc Perrier
      Distributor
      Columbia Pictures
      Production Co
      Weintraub Entertainment Group, Gaumont
      Rating
      PG
      Genre
      Adventure, Action, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Jan 1, 1988, Wide
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Aug 17, 2018
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $2.9M
      Sound Mix
      Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
      Aspect Ratio
      Scope (2.35:1)