OPEN WATER is a film that strives to be the next BLAIR WITCH PROJECT – i.e. an extremely low budget frightener, filmed without special effects or known actors on low-key hand-held cameras and the like. While I loved BLAIR WITCH, OPEN WATER turned out to be a massive disappointment, especially since I'd heard stuff like "the scariest shark movie since Jaws!" Nothing like. Instead, this is a bit of a mess of a film; it's obvious that the intentions are good and, with the right script, this could have been a fantastic piece of indie film-making. What we're left with is a film in which two obnoxious and stupid characters tread water in the ocean for an hour. There's no believable dialogue, only stilted, cheesy lines; our characters display no redeeming qualities whatsoever, making it impossible for the viewer to care about their plight. Perhaps if they'd made any effort whatsoever – to get to the boats, to swim in the direction of dry land – then we could have admired them, sympathised even; instead these are two brainless Americans who prefer to moan and complain and wait to die. I half thought this was a bit of satire on US culture but I'm not too sure...

As I've already said, this film's trappings are good. The low budget nature of the proceedings give it a level of realism on par with BLAIR WITCH. Director Chris Kentis handles things well and the scenes with the real-life sharks swimming around are done very well, with more than a few frightening moments. Other moments, like the jellyfish attack, show real promise and are an example of 'what could have been'. Sadly, the actors aren't up to the job; Ryan and Travis never reach a level higher than amateur. The script stinks and the viewer ends up watching the screen, shouting at the characters to do something – anything. The guy, especially, should be ashamed of himself for being such a coward and failing to act and help save him and his wife. In the end, Kentis has to resort to gratuitous nudity in a desperate ploy to try and grab the viewer's attention. The low-key ending is a let down considering what has come before but I admit I liked it, purely because I breathed a sigh of relief that the film was over.

Susan (Blanchard Ryan) and Daniel (Daniel Travis) are on their Caribbean vacation. They go on a scuba diving excursion. They get left behind when the boat's crew miscount their returning charges. Susan assumes that Daniel got them lost. They start off with mild concerns and confusion. As the hours pass by and sharks are spotted, their situation gets more dire.

The start is a pretty amateurish weak indie. The actors are not well known. Everything is boring pedestrian until the shark shows up and the tension goes sky high. I don't particularly like open waters and sharks. This one can really get under your skins especially for landlubbers like me.

While spending their vacation in a paradisaical beach, the young couple Susan (Blanchard Ryan) and Daniel (Daniel Travis) decide to dive in open sea. They are forgotten by the crew of the boat and spend tense hours alone and surrounded by sharks.

"Open Water" is a very tense thriller, based on a real event. The performances of Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis are very human, the movie explores the psychological phases of two persons in constant fear and it is worthwhile watching this low budget movie. The end without redemption is magnificent and the quite amateurish camera with many closes does not spoil this great gem that deserves to be discovered. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Mar Aberto" ("Open Sea")