Movie Review: The Deep (2012) (Djúpið)

The Deep (2012) (Djúpið) 

Blueeyes Productions, Filmhuset Produksjoner, Iceland, 2012. 

In 1984 crew of an Icelandic fishing ship prepares to sail after a bad storm. The ship has crew of six men: Captain Jon (Stefán Hallur Stefánsson), nice guy but bit of a drifter Gulli (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), family man Palli (Joi Johannsson), young cook Raggi (Walter Grímsson). Hannes (Björn Thors) and his father Lárus (Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson). 

Gulli and Palli

Raggi

Captain Jon

The ship tips over and only Gulli, Palli and Jon survive clinging to the ship's keel. Finally only Gulli survives to swim to shore. He almost drowns but remembers his childhood when volcanic eruption destroyed his village. He also promises to fix his unfinished businesses if he survives. After that he still has to walk through a lava field in freezing weather. 

Breki

The crew goes overboard

Gulli swims

How Gulli survived in the icy water baffles the officials. Scientific experiments show that Gulli has "seal fat" that insulates more than regular fat cells and also his enzymes use energy more efficiently. Modest Gulli is not interested in becoming famous, he only struggled to survive and wants to continue with normal life. He returns to his job as fisherman in another ship.

Baltasar Kormákur made this film based on true survival story about Guðlaugur 'Gulli' Friðþórsson. The style is realistic and simple without being overdramatic. The sailors are rugged and heavy drinkers. Similarly the nature of Iceland is harsh and unpredictable. The film is a tribute to Icelandic fishermen. The flashback sequences show the volcanic eruption's surreal aftermath as people dig up their houses buried under thick layer of ash. Ólafur Darri Ólafsson does a good role as an improbable survivor. On the minus side the bareboned and almost documentary style eats the interest in other characters as we do not know much about the other members of the crew.

Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#14. Movie based on a true story)

Rating: Good

Starring: Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Joi Johannsson, Stefán Hallur Stefánsson, Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson, Björn Thors, Walter Grímsson, Thora Bjorg Helga, Guðjón Pedersen, Theodór Júlíusson, María Sigurðardóttir, Stormur J.K. Baltarsarsson, Martin Halldórsson, Sindri Árdal Bergsteinssoon, Ólafur Ingi Sigurðsson, Þorsteinn Bachmann, Terry Gunnell, Íris Hund Þórarinsdóttir, Harald G. Haraldsson, María Reyndal, Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson, Þrúður Vilhjálmsdóttir, Rúnar Guðbrandsson, Bjartur Guðmundsson, Þorvaldur Ottðsson, Kristján Franklin Magnúss, Haraldur Jónsson, Bergur Þór Ingólfsson, Björn Ingi Hilmarsson, Pálmi Kormákur Baltasarsson, Jim Goulden, Ivar Isak Guðjónsson, Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson, Baltasar Breki Samper, Hjortur Gretarsson, Davíð Örn Arnarson, Tanja Berglind Hallvarðsdóttir, Ásta Júlía Guðjónsdóttir, Sigriður Ólafsdóttir-Sussa, Fjóla Hersteinsdóttir, Aðalheiður Sigurjónsdóttir, Daði Júlíusson, Haraldur Ari Karlsson, Þuriður Kristin Kristlelfsdóttir, Bjarni Gautur, Halldór Fannar Sigurgeirsson
Director: Baltasar Kormákur