BELOW A film review by Steve Rhodes Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes RATING (0 TO ****): ***
BELOW, by PITCH BLACK's director David N. Twohy, is a crisp psychological drama set underwater in an American submarine in the middle of World War II. As one disaster after another strikes the boat, the crew members begin to wonder if there isn't some sinister force involved. Although some will suspect that the sub is haunted, there are equally plausible explanations that don't involve paranormal events. Whatever the cause of their troubles, the sailors face difficulties that make for a fascinating little thriller that would have been perfect for an old "Twilight Zone" episode.
The story starts when the USS Tiger Shark is ordered to pickup survivors from a sunken hospital ship. After diving with the three survivors, the sub is abuzz with the news. They have just taken onboard "three Brits and one's a skirt." The vulnerable, inquisitive "skirt" is a nurse named Claire (Olivia Williams, THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS).
No sooner are the new passengers welcomed than the sub comes under attack. Running silently, the sub's position is given away when someone -- or some thing -- starts playing Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing" loudly on a phonograph. This is the first of many inexplicable occurrences than befall the doomed vessel.
Although Lt. Brice (Bruce Greenwood) isn't the skipper, he's in charge of the boat now, since the Captain was recently lost in an accident at sea -- or so "the story" goes. The few crew members who know the truth don't want to talk about it. The log for the day of the captain's death hasn't been filled in yet.
The metal tube's inhabitants appear in danger of going nuts, as tensions mount, the air gets thin and claustrophobia sets in. Don't be surprised if they, and you, begin to interpret the sounds of the deep as something more than seawater and fish. After you leave the theater, you'll have plenty of opportunities to discuss what really happened with your theater companions. My money is on coincidences, but I'm sure that that will be a minority opinion. The ghost theory will undoubtedly be the most popular.
BELOW runs 1:44. It is rated R for "language and some violence" and would be acceptable for teenagers.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the Silicon Valley it is showing at the Camera Cinemas and the Century theaters.
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