I WANT YOU DAMN OPINION ON THE MOVIE AND THE DVD.

"...I've seen a review of the 'director's cut'..."

...but, apparently, or even obviously, you didn't read it - why else would you have to ask "What exactly is this movie like, and what's it about?"

...and, yes, there is indeed an American theatrical cut - much shorter than the director's version longue and with a different music score by a different composer...

http://us.imdb.com/AlternateVersions?0095250

...here are some reviews - take your pick:

http://www.mrqe.com/lookup?le+grand+bleu

. . .

I didn't really trust that review, and I was just curious what people here thought of it.

...ahh... you didn't trust that critic's opinion, but you would trust the opinion of someone on this Board?

...alright... what if I told you that this was one of the most excruciatingly boooring movies it has ever been my misfortune to be dragged to see ... a midnight showing, yet ... of the full c. three-hours version longue (see link above)...

...of course, I know people who have seen that version a dozen times or more... they just can't get enough of it, it seems...

...so, there you are!...

Peace!

. . . . . .

happy now Hendrik?

I agree with sentiments that "Big Blue" is a big bore. I like much of Besson's work, but this one left me cold. It's too long with too little action of any form; it just plods by, and the characters were shallow and lifeless.

The DVD looks and sounds quite good, however. As is typical for Besson's films, the DVD includes no substantial extras, unless one counts the fact it's the director's cut to be an extra.

Review link: http://www.dvdmg.com/bigblue.html

I have shown this film to many people since it first came out and not one of the has had a bad thing to say about the film.
It's a likeable film, but some audiences complained that nothing happens in the film - this was '88 when it first arrived (cut, unfortunately) and that era in mainstream cinema had little patience for a film without raunchy humor, special effects and all that jive (wait - has a lot REALLY changed since the 80's ?????).
Anyway, the film is strangely involving right from the start and it's fun to see what the characters go thru.

IMO, it's Besson's best movie. The dvd itself is typical Columbia quality, which is to say, excellent.

If you watch a Besson movie like a typical action (or porn ) movie, always expecting something to happen, you will be disappointed. The Big Blue is my "2001".

I rented this disc about a half a year ago. I absolutely loved the first hour or so. Great widescreen locations, intriguing characters, and a great sense of build-up to this diving competition the two rivals were going to face off in.

Then suddenly the competition came and went. For the rest of the movie, more competitions come and go, but they're introduced in such a low key way that I never got a feeling as to whether all these contests were actually building up to something until the end. So the second half of the film meandered a bit for me.

I DO totally recommend seeing The Big Blue, but as a rental, not a purchase.

The first time I saw the film I fell in love with it. It is one of my top 5 films and it is a must for anyones collection. The characters in the film gives me a true feel how people are a little of everything, both good and evil. The setting makes it even more interesting, since it is taking place in a very elite group of people, deep divers. Anyway, I do not want to spoil it for anyone who has not seen it, but you got to love Jean Reno's mother in the film, she is great. Well, for what it is worth to you who read this, I give the film 10/10, even if the music gives the film an 80s feel.