Rating: 
Summary: An Insatiable Ocean
Review: "I'll start at the beginning, as all stories must..."
- Celia (Lynn Redgrave)A good story has the power to heal and if you have seen The Secret of Roan Inish, you will enjoy this story even more. You are immediately drawn into this haunting tale by a rather moody Claire Mackay (Julia Brendler), a grieving teenage violinist who seems uninterested in living in an isolated island community off the coast of Nova Scotia. She and her mother (Alberta Watson) arrive on the island and Claire is given a package to deliver, which she forgets at the beach. After a fight with her mother, she finds an emotional release in swimming as far as she can into the water's salty soul. The viewer might assume she has drowned as I did, but suddenly we find her washed up on the beach with the small package floating in the edges of the foamy surf at her bare feet. Claire's brooding moods almost border on depression at first until she finds Celia (Lynn Redgrave), the owner of the package. We soon find out this is a story Celia is writing has been rejected by the publishers. As she hangs the dripping pages up to dry on the clothesline, Claire becomes rather interested in the story. Two stories then start to intertwine like seaweed waving on the floor of the ocean. Claire and Silly's lives have so many similarities. They are almost mirrors to one another's souls. Celia knows that her story was just waiting for Claire to discover it. Silly (Kirsten Dunst) is the girl in Celia's story who is born at the beginning of the fishing season on a cursed island, she has a strange affinity to the call of the sea. As she swims in the ocean as a very young child, her eyes change color and this startles her mother. No one in the fishing village will tell her about the ancient legend of a Viking ship that passed by so long ago and was shipwrecked near the island. The island is cursed and every 50 years the fish dissapear and someone drowns to break the curse. Everyone on the island believes that the sea has come to take that individual as a sacrifice. While this part of the story seems pretty intense, it is played out rather mildly in the film. This is also a love story where two people find one another quite by chance. James (Trent Ford), the son of a wealthy British Admiral is drawn to the island and falls in love with Silly. He spends most of his time camped out in a tent on the beach where they meet occasionally. James and Silly share moments of happiness, but sadly make the mistake of taking destiny in their own hands and run into a storm they cannot control. If you love the sound of the ocean, the feel of sand between your toes and a salty breeze tousling your hair, this movie will take you there. Lingering memories melt with myth to capture the
essence of beauty you expect from a fairy tale.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful fairytale quality
Review: ... The synopsis on the back intrigues me because I love this type of storyline that blends reality and fantasy. I find similar qualities in the stories of Neil Gaiman. It reminded me of The Secret of Roan Inish, which is another film I highly recommend. Kirsten Dunst was not my favourite character, though she got most of the screen time. I really liked the actress who played Claire. She doesn't say much, but she wordlessly communicates her characters's feelings in a powerful way.
Rating: 
Summary: Lacks Any Real Emotional Connection
Review: A remote fishing village located off the coast of Canada is the setting for this tale of a close-knit community of people who make their living from the sea, while abiding the customs and superstitions that have been handed down from one generation to the next for hundreds of years. "Deeply," written and directed by Sheri Elwood, is a story of love and survival, and of what it sometimes takes just to get on with life; but more than that, it's about a dark secret that has been a part of this village since before remembrance, and the effects of a collective belief in something few care to contemplate and even fewer dare to speak of openly, even in a contemporary, modern world in which such things no longer exist-- and yet still do. When her teenage daughter, Claire (Julia Brendler), cannot escape the memories of a tragic accident, Fiona McKay (Alberta Watson) takes her to the island and the village that was her own home as a child. Fiona hopes the change will enable Claire to put all that has happened behind her. Claire's depression continues, however, and she becomes increasingly withdrawn and uncommunicative, even with her mother, who is desperately trying to reach out and help her. Things begin to change, however, when Claire finds a manuscript on the beach that's been rejected and returned by the publisher, and she delivers it to the owner, a reclusive writer named Celia (Lynn Redgrave), a long time resident of the island who lives alone in a small house at the edge of the sea. Initially their relationship is tentative, but gradually Claire finds herself drawn to Celia, who agrees to tell Claire the story contained in the manuscript; and it's a story in which Claire finds a parallel to her own life-- and it just may prove to be the catharsis that will enable Claire to move on with her life. Writer/director Elwood uses the story-within-a-story technique nicely to present her tale, which contains elements that make it something of a cross between "The Secret of Roan Inish" and "The Wicker Man." It's beautifully filmed (cinematography by Sebastian Edschmid), and the transitions between the present and the depiction of Celia's story are executed quite well. The story itself, though, while engaging to a point, is wrapped in a fairly obvious mystery, which in retrospect may have been Elwood's intent, as she creates the dots but leaves it up to the viewer to connect them. It's effective in that it invites involvement on any number of levels, while leaving it up to the individual to decide upon one and to what extent they want to take it. Celia's story, which involves a young girl named Silly (Kirsten Dunst) is interesting, but the real appeal of the film is rooted in Claire's gradual awareness of her deep connection to Silly, and how the story subsequently affects her. And it's in the telling of Claire's story that Elwood's work shines the brightest, as that is where she manages somewhat to connect emotionally with her audience. One of the best young actors in the business, Kirsten Dunst is to be commended for taking on a role that is quite a departure for her (with the exception of her portrayal of Marion Davies in the more recent "The Cat's Meow," in which she was terrific). Dunst has a charismatic screen presence and talent to match, which has served her so well in films like "The Virgin Suicides" and the aforementioned "The Cat's Meow," and it's obvious that she put a great deal of effort into her portrayal of Silly in this film; and though it's a decent job, she somehow never manages to fully realize the character, and though she has her moments, Silly is never entirely convincing. Part of the blame has to fall on Elwood, of course, who should have taken measures to correct the most obvious flaw in Dunst's performance, which is the inconsistency of the accent she affects. Part of the time her manner of speech most resembles Lux Lisbon, while at other times she sounds more like Ma Kettle's daughter. It is, perhaps, a minor flaw in an otherwise solid performance, but it's enough to prevent Dunst from "finding" the character, and it is so distracting that it diminishes the effectiveness of her portrayal, and in turn the credibility of the film. And there are a couple of scenes in which Silly smokes a pipe that simply do not work at all. Still, you have to admire Dunst for wanting to expand her repertoire and explore new territory; many actors who have achieved a similar level of success lack the courage to challenge themselves artistically as Dunst has done here, and it's an attribute that will continue to set her apart from the dime-a-dozen actors who flow through the business without making so much as a dent. As Claire, Julia Brendler gives a performance that is honest and affecting, and as much as the story itself, it's what establishes her as the focus of the film. She conveys emotions that transcend the typical teen angst, and it makes her situation real and believable. Her portrayal of Claire is sensitive and (with Elwood's help, of course) is developed with great care, which is what makes it so effective. The film, in fact, would have benefited had Claire's part been expanded, perhaps with more interaction between her and Celia. As presented, however, it is definitely the strength of the film. Lynn Redgrave does a good job as Celia, though she isn't afforded enough screen time to fully develop her character with any nuance; but it is a convincing performance. Interestingly enough, this was filmed the same year her sister, Vanessa, played a similar role, that of a reclusive old woman living by the sea, in "A Rumor of Angels." A good film, but nothing special, "Deeply" is worth a look; just don't expect to be too emotionally engaged by it.
Rating:
Summary: An Okay Movie
Review: After recently watching the movie Deeply, I can tell you that this movie is extremly predictable. I kept trying to see what it was rated, but the movie was 'un-rated'. As a guide, I would say anybody over the age of 13 should be okay with this movie. I hope this review helps you! P.S.- This is not a good movie if you are looking for a comedy, drama, or romance(well, maybe a little). Also, I think I would watch this movie again if given the opportunity.
Rating:
Summary: Needs some Work..
Review: Deeply is the story of a teenager (Claire) and her mom, who travels to a remote Island off the coast of Nova Scotia, determined to put the past behind them. Claire, emotionally scarred from a tragic accident, immerses herself in folklore and befriends an elderly woman who writes fairytales. The woman starts telling Claire of her latest yarn, a story about a young woman named Seelie, and the Viking curse, which has befallen the island. Through the course of her story, Claire comes to identify with Seelie and finds emotionally healing for herself. I watched this story because of the premise (I love anything Viking) and was somewhat disappointed. I failed to connect with any of the lead characters, the plot seemed to switch indiscriminately between past and the present, and we never did get to learn more about the "curse." or what exactly was "In the water." Also, the ending was very poorly done. Dunst does some decent acting, though, but even she could not save this flick from being anything but average. Worth seeing for some beautiful shots of Nova Scotia, or for those who like obscure ghost stories... For me, I'll pass on a second viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting to say the least
Review: Don't count on me to recap the actress names, because I don't know them, but I will admit that this film got my attention. I rented it a while back and saw it once with a friend. It isn't for everyone, that I will admit, but if you like the artistic movie that really makes you think. This is one to get. The music is wonderfully composed, and relates so well with the picture that it is...harmonious. I would recomend this movie to anyone who is interested in more than just a shoot-em-up movie. Who is looking for a beautifully written drama that will grab their attention.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting to say the least
Review: Don't count on me to recap the actress names, because I don't know them, but I will admit that this film got my attention. I rented it a while back and saw it once with a friend. It isn't for everyone, that I will admit, but if you like the artistic movie that really makes you think. This is one to get. The music is wonderfully composed, and relates so well with the picture that it is...harmonious. I would recomend this movie to anyone who is interested in more than just a shoot-em-up movie. Who is looking for a beautifully written drama that will grab their attention.
Rating: 
Summary: Deeply moving
Review: Found this in a bargain bin. I see quite a few movies a year and never heard of it. Now that I've seen it, I know why. It's a mess. Either the director or editor made a mess of what could have been a good film. Very obviously influenced by James Cameron's "Titanic", the direction leaves you wondering several times why did we get to this next scene? What just happened? Why did that character do that? Some of the dissolves were messy as well. I bought it because I think that Kirsten Dunst and Lynn Redgrave are two brilliant actresses, but unfortunately because of the storyline, never get to act with each other. The under story was the biggest mess with the character's mom and boyfriend almost afterthoughts. It could have been better.
Rating: 
Summary: A good movie is in there somewhere
Review: Found this in a bargain bin. I see quite a few movies a year and never heard of it. Now that I've seen it, I know why. It's a mess. Either the director or editor made a mess of what could have been a good film. Very obviously influenced by James Cameron's "Titanic", the direction leaves you wondering several times why did we get to this next scene? What just happened? Why did that character do that? Some of the dissolves were messy as well. I bought it because I think that Kirsten Dunst and Lynn Redgrave are two brilliant actresses, but unfortunately because of the storyline, never get to act with each other. The under story was the biggest mess with the character's mom and boyfriend almost afterthoughts. It could have been better.
Rating:
Summary: Kirsten Dunst Is Simply Good
Review: I bought this DVD because Kirsten Dunst is in it. And I never regret it! This movie is beautiful, but maybe not for everybody. It doesn't have the factors to make it big in the box office. There are 2 reasons why I put 4 stars instead of 5:
1. The ending is not nicely done.
2. The movie is presented in full screen format.
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