The rivalry between Enzo and Jacques, two childhood friends and now world-renowned free divers, becomes a beautiful and perilous journey into oneself and the unknown.The rivalry between Enzo and Jacques, two childhood friends and now world-renowned free divers, becomes a beautiful and perilous journey into oneself and the unknown.The rivalry between Enzo and Jacques, two childhood friends and now world-renowned free divers, becomes a beautiful and perilous journey into oneself and the unknown.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 6 nominations total
Andréas Voutsinas
- Priest
- (as Andreas Voutsinas)
Kimberly Beck
- Sally
- (as Kimberley Beck)
Geoffrey Carey
- Supervisor
- (as Geoffroy Carey)
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Featured reviews
A Fascinating Film.
The film starts with an island view in black and white Greece. Throughout the film I encounter wonderful scenes. Blue color is peaceful and watching the endless expanse of the Mediterranean is enjoyable. I was very happy for acting.
I think that people who are interested in diving and the sea should not go on without watching. The final scene was very impressive.
It is a very beautiful film that brings happiness and sadness together.
Hynoptic Masterpiece
I have to watch this movie once a year just to calm my nerves. One of the few films to which I have also purchased the soundtrack. This film, like the sea which is its subject, hypnotizes you, seduces you, rocks you into a state of oneness with the lush scenery. Rosanna Arquette is beautiful and sexy in an uncharacteristically understated way. Barr makes the perfect beau and embodies the spirit of the film and the ocean. I fell in love with Jean Reno in this film. Unforgettable imagery, interesting premise, good chemistry between Arquette and Barr, and Reno is a joy to watch.
Masterfully directed by Luc Besson and a film to treasure.
Masterfully directed by Luc Besson and a film to treasure.
Very real..
For me the grand bleu is something unique...i have never seen a movie were everybody has the same love for the sea,and for their sport... Even if the movie is from 1988...it is still one of a kind!!! Go and see it yourself!! When i lived in France in 1989..everybody was talking about Le Grand Bleu...I still have the music.. And a poster on the toilet..
It remindes me of the good old time.. I have also the movie version long on DVD...it is so beautiful!! You will laugh and cry during Le Grand Bleu. Find out for yourself what your impression is, and you wont be disappointed!
It remindes me of the good old time.. I have also the movie version long on DVD...it is so beautiful!! You will laugh and cry during Le Grand Bleu. Find out for yourself what your impression is, and you wont be disappointed!
Cult Movies 47
47. THE BIG BLUE (adv.-romance, 1988) Mayol (Jean-Marc Barr) is determined to dethrone current world-free diving champion Enzo (Jean Reno). Childhood friends, they share a fierce rivalry that, nonetheless, has kept their friendship alive. Both of them share an almost spiritual affinity with the sea, especially Mayol who lost his father. His love for his sport, however, is put on hold when he meets Joanna (Rosanna Arquette). But as Mayol and Enzo's competition become more fierce, Joanna slowly feels herself drifting away from Mayol, as his fascination with the sea takes on an obsessive turn.
Critique: Marvelouslly filmed underwater adventure from master-Frenchman Luc Besson, who has specialized on action films. This is his most personal work to date, thus taking on a uniquely surreal quality. The exquisite camera-work is very special, at times almost documentary in quality.
This mix of 'art' cinematography and romance made it a big money earner all over Europe but, not surprisingly, only gained critical acclaim elsewhere. Adding to its failure is a somewhat downbeat ending that, I think, complements the film's mythic storyline.
Besson's 'epic masterpiece' has yet to reach many viewers who would embrace his visionary talents.
Critique: Marvelouslly filmed underwater adventure from master-Frenchman Luc Besson, who has specialized on action films. This is his most personal work to date, thus taking on a uniquely surreal quality. The exquisite camera-work is very special, at times almost documentary in quality.
This mix of 'art' cinematography and romance made it a big money earner all over Europe but, not surprisingly, only gained critical acclaim elsewhere. Adding to its failure is a somewhat downbeat ending that, I think, complements the film's mythic storyline.
Besson's 'epic masterpiece' has yet to reach many viewers who would embrace his visionary talents.
Jacques Yves Cousteau must surely have had enjoyed this film.
Le Grand Bleu is the true story of famous French diver Jacques Mayol who challenged death.Jacques and Enzo were always passionate about sea and this passion gave rise to their spirited rivalry.Enzo will never give up as he doesn't want to be beaten at all by anyone.They approve the widespread notion that one who goes for a thing will get it not the one who saw the thing.Mayol's character portrayed by Jean Marc Barr reminds one of celebrated Jacques Yves Cousteau who advocated the philosophy of profundity by making underwater his home.Le Grand Bleu's strength lies in its wonderfully shot visuals as well as catchy musical score by Eric Serra.Even,Jacques Mayol offered his indispensable contribution as a technical consultant on this film.The film was a massive hit among youngsters throughout Europe attracting nine million viewers in France.Luc Besson created one of the best films of his career featuring impressive underwater images.The film's success proved that the aesthetic quality can only save the cinema which is facing tough competition from television.
Did you know
- TriviaThe most financially successful French film of the 1980s.
- GoofsUnlike SCUBA divers, free divers become negatively buoyant below depths of around 15m (varies a bit depending on body type, weight belt, and wet-suit thickness).
In the final scene when Jacques lets go of the sled to swim toward the dolphin, he appears neutrally buoyant. In reality, at that depth, he would have had to actively swim toward the surface to avoid passively sinking deeper.
- Alternate versionsOriginal 132-minutes French version has a music score by director Luc Besson's usual composer, Éric Serra. The USA version is 118 minutes long and was re-scored by Bill Conti. The version released in the rest of Europe is 118 minutes long. A special Version Longue (long) director's cut released in France is 168 minutes long.
- How long is The Big Blue?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- FRF 80,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,580,882
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,617,462
- Aug 21, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $3,992,246
- Runtime
- 2h 48m(168 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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