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The Weight of Water

4.8

3,316

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Original title

The Weight of Water

Year

2000

Running time

109 min.

Country

United States

Director

Kathryn Bigelow

Screenwriter

Alice Arlen, Christopher Kyle. Novel: Anita Shreve

Cast

Music

David Hirschfelder

Cinematography

Adrian Biddle

Producer

Co-production United States-France;

Manifest Film Company, Palomar Pictures, Miracle Pictures, Studiocanal. Distributor: Lionsgate

Genre

Mystery | Jealousy. 19th Century. Sailing. Based on a true story

Synopsis

Newspaper photographer Jean Janes (Catherine McCormack) travels to a New Hampshire island with her husband Thomas (Sean Penn), brother-in-law Rich (Josh Lucas), and his girlfriend Adaline Gunne (Elizabeth Hurley) to investigate an 1873 axe-murder of two Norwegian women, in which she finds her own relationships paralleling those of a woman who survived the crime. She discovers a cache of papers that appear to give an account of the murders by an eyewitness. The plot weaves between the narrative of the eyewitness and Jean's private struggle with jealousies and suspicions as her marriage teeters.

Awards: 2000: San Sebastián Film Festival: Official Selection

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Critics' reviews

"There is so much to admire in ''The Weight of Water,'' (...) that when the movie finally collapses on itself late in the game, it leaves you in the frustrating position of having to pick up its scattered pieces and assemble them as best you can. (...) [the two stories] never mesh"

Stephen Holden: The New York Times
"Despite the deftness with which Bigelow handles the transitions, the modern story never attains the intrigue and tension of the period tale."

Loren King: Chicago Tribune
"Though it never rises to its full potential as a film, still offers a great deal of insight into the female condition and the timeless danger of emotions repressed."

Janice Page: Boston Globe
"Contains multiple ax murders, lesbianism, incest, a hanging, and a storm at sea -- yet, despite all of this seemingly enticing material, it's a bore"

James Berardinelli: ReelViews
"Involves two mysteries -- one it gives away and the other featuring such badly drawn characters that its outcome hardly matters. But the picture looks great"

Carla Meyer: San Francisco Chronicle
"The actors are splendid, especially Sarah Polley and Sean Penn, but we never feel confident that these two plots fit together, belong together, or work together"

Roger Ebert: Chicago Sun-Times
"Despite recurrent narrative and dramatic problems, each of Bigelow's pics provides a visual treat, and this film is no exception"

Emanuel Levy: Variety

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User history

The Weight of Water

2000

Kathryn Bigelow

4.8

(3,316)