Rating: 
Summary: Dreamy and unforgettable
Review: "The Big Blue" is a mini-epic that provides a sensational visual treat via its wonderful cinematography. The film follows the relationship between two childhood friends - one French, the other Italian - who grow up to become rivals in the world of free-diving. Jean-Marc Barr, as the young Frenchman, is astonishing. His character is palpably uncomfortable in our world above water - his dream is to become one with the sea. Jean Reno is both amusing and touching as his super-macho Italian friend who is determined to be the best, or die trying. Add a bubbly Rosanna Arquette to the mix as an American reporter who falls hard for the young Frenchman. Their final scenes together are both heartbreaking and transcendental. This is the type of film capable of stirring up your emotions in more ways than one; you will marvel, you will laugh, and you will cry.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Film
Review: I love this movie. It is one of the most beautifully filmed, hypnotic movies I have ever seen. All of the performances work in this one: Barr is perfect as the sensitive almost ethereal lead, Reno is a delight with his gruff manners and humor, and Arquette is charming as the clumsy, spell-bound love interest. This is a dreamy, quiet, slow-moving film that takes you to a whole new world. The sea is the real star here and it never looked more gorgeous. The scenery, the score, all of it - just beautiful.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie
Review: I love this movie. The cinematography is beautiful and the story is bittersweet. It's a look inside the lives of free divers, a sport that very few people even know about.
Rating:
Summary: european version
Review: I have only seen the european version of this film, and the usage of French, Italian and English altogether.. adds sooo much to this film. 'Cause, the main characters of the movie are extremely different from each other, but they come together in a very poetic plot. And this continuous use of different languages supports this story. The scenes, the characters are all so beautiful that I find myself holding my breath while I watch the film. Its a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Dream in blue...
Review: I'm French and part of the so-called "generation Grand Bleu" and I can tell I was marked by this movie a "long" time ago (I've always been a sea lover and I am myself a diver for years now). I have seen the US version (on tape) for the first time and was totally disappointed by the "Hollywood happy ending" and the music that does not translate Besson's feelings. I understand that different tastes lead to enjoy movies differently but I think that the US version is missing the real message that Besson wished to send.
Besson was inspired by the life of the real Jacques Mayol (who died recently at 74 and was the first man to descend to 100 meters or 330 feet) and his very complex relationship with the sea. He made this movie around a (yes!) minimalist scenario to emphasize the tragic loving that a man had for the Ocean. Rosanna Arquette just represents the connection between Jacques and the Earth but this is not (to me) the most interesting part, and you can feel that the movie is not totally comfortable with it. Besson chose to emphasize the other part and the photographic scenes above and below the surface are just amazing. You will not see any white sand beaches or coral fish but only the deep blue of the immensity of the Sea. The Mediterranean Sea surroundings are also just gorgeous. Remember that it was just at his time (almost 15 years ago!) a new way to make movies and it showed the different look of an inspired and rising realisator on a new subject. The pace is voluntarily slow to help you relax and breath a bit of this Ocean (I hope we will get one day "smell-o-rama" video systems !!!), not to have your mind racing. The captivating original score by Eric Serra was made to fit Besson's view of the subject, not for being replaced by another one's sensitivity ! Where does this need to constantly rearrange original productions to the national taste come from ???As a conclusion, it's a great choice to have reinstated the original ending and score but I think that a DVD support should bring more extras than those proposed here (which is why I give only 4 stars)... Anyway, the dream goes on...
Rating: 
Summary: How very...French
Review: A long boring movie with an annoying ending. Some of the photography was good, and seemed to have more character than the characters. Avoid this movie at all costs!
Rating:
Summary: Good Director's cut ~ Better American version
Review: This is one of those rare cases where I believe the American version is much better than the European. I could do without some of the superfluous scenes such as the oil rig scene....It just doesn't fit. While Eric Serra's score is haunting and beautiful I feel that Bill Conte's score is more appropriate for the content. And the European ending does not settle as well as the American version.....Jean-Marc Barr swimming into the distance. WHERE'S THE AMERICAN VERSION ON DVD??????? The Professional/Leon is available in the American and European version on DVD???
Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Story
Review: Luc Besson scores a winner with a stylish and original love story in "The Big Blue". The film stars Rosanna Arquette as an insurance adjuster sent to a frozen South American lake to investigate a claim on a tractor. When she arrives, she literally runs into Jacques (Jean-marc Barr), a free diver involved in scientific research. She falls madly in love with the baby-faced Jacques and is soon persuing him around the world as he competes in free diving events (depth records accomplished while holding one's breath). They soon cross paths with Enzo (Jean Reno), Jacques childhood rival and fellow free diver. Their competitiveness only adds to the frustration of Arquette's character as she competes for the attention of the troubled Jacques. The diving scenes are ingeniously shot and tense and the scenery beautiful. The pace suffers a bit as the transition from love story to diving tale is never accomplished with ease. However, the characters are true to themselves and the story does not suffer from lack of focus. All in all a fine film with wide appeal.
Rating:
Summary: The most inspiring into the sport
Review: One of the best movies out about the sport of freediving. I am a novice in the sport and have been diving my whole life. This movie opened my eyes to something else, something better.
Rating:
Summary: Big Blue a Big Disappointment
Review: I sat down to watch a what i thought was going to be a fascinating and enjoyable film. It turned out to be an over long disappointment which doesn't seem to go anywhere in particular and soon becomes boring. I have now resigned this film to the trash can. If you are thinking of buying this film because of Jean Reno's fine acting and humour, in films such as LEON and GODZILLA. Then don't bother. Jean Reno is a favorite actor of mine but this film was a complete waste of time and talent.
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