Wednesday 15 July 2009

Film Review: BLACK WATER (2007)


Directors: David Nerlich and Andrew Traucki
Running time: 86 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Watched on Sky+ Wednesday 15th July 2009.

PLEASE NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

It’s Christmas in Australia, well, just after actually, but being Australia of course, that means its summer. Two weeks off work and Gracie, her husband Adam and her sister Lee are on a trip around Northern Australia. They’ve been to a crocodile farm, which was a bit touristy, so they are keen to get out into the bush. The Blackwater Barry tour fits the bill, a boat trip into the swamp for some fishing.

Their tour guide Jim takes them along the river and then into the mangrove swamp for some fishing. Almost immediately, the boat is attacked by a large crocodile and ends up capsized. In the panic that ensues, Adam and Gracie make it to a nearby tree leaving Lee stranded on the upturned boat and no sign of Jim. In the muddy water the crocodile lurks and the three of them that are left are running out of options and running out of time.

This film is very like Open Water (2003) both in the subject matter and style. Having said that, I thought it was very well made and the footage used for the crocodile was excellent. Great performances from all of the main cast, Diana Glenn as Grace, Maeve Dermody as Lee and Andy Rodoreda as Adam. The way the tension was built up was really well done. I guess the thing that let it down for me was the fact that there was no relief from this harrowing tale of these poor people trapped by this monster. I found it all a bit too intense at times, but a really good effort.

My score: 6/10

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