The Big Blue (Le Grand bleu) (1988)

67% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
91% of users liked it
(35,275 ratings)

Two men answer the call of the ocean in this romantic fantasy-adventure. Jacques (Jean-Marc Barr) and Enzo (Jean Reno) are a pair of friends who have been close since childhood, and who share a passion for the dangerous sport of free diving. Professional diver Jacques opted to follow in the… More Two men answer the call of the ocean in this romantic fantasy-adventure. Jacques (Jean-Marc Barr) and Enzo (Jean Reno) are a pair of friends who have been close since childhood, and who share a passion for the dangerous sport of free diving. Professional diver Jacques opted to follow in the footsteps of his father, who died at sea when Jacques was a boy; to the bewilderment of scientists, Jacques harbors a remarkable ability to adjust his heart rate and breathing pattern in the water, so that his vital signs more closely resemble that of dolphins than men (he even considers a school of dolphins as his extended family). As Enzo persuades a reluctant Jacques to compete against him in a free diving contest -- determining who can dive deeper and longer without scuba gear -- Jacques meets Johanna (Rosanna Arquette), a beautiful insurance investigator from America, and he finds that he must choose between his love for her and his love of the sea. Le Grand Bleu ran 132 minutes in its original French version, but it was trimmed to 118 for American release, with the original score by Eric Serra replaced by music from Bill Conti. While the film did middling business in the U.S., it was a huge success in Europe, and director Luc Besson released an expanded 168-minute version in 1998. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: Luc Besson
Written By: Luc Besson, Robert Garland, Marilyn Goldin, Marc Perrier, Jacques Mayol
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Aug 15, 2000
Studio: 20th Century-Fox

Critic Reviews

Steven Rosen, Denver Post
What he and his writers have cooked up defies our patience.
Mark Holcomb, Village Voice
Besson is no master storyteller.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
One of a kind movie.
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine
Is an extra 50 minutes of bad footage reason enough to re-release an already problematic movie? I wouldn't think so.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
No matter which version you see, the story doesn't really make sense.
Kim Morgan, Oregonian
The film is a flawed fable but an intriguing one nonetheless.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
Silly as the narrative may sound, The Big Blue is nonetheless intriguing in its quaint originality.
Bilge Ebiri, Citysearch
It's the ultimate film about losing your innocence.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Arash X

Obsession...
xGary X

Ridiculously overlong but strangely hypnotic sea-bourne drama packed with sumptuous photography.
Justin F

For me this film managed to be romantic, warm and loving yet cold and distant at the same time. I suppose this is an achievement iitself and is maybe why it has the massive cult following it does? Beautifully shot and if you like dolphins (as I do) you will find certain scenes simply… More
For me this film managed to be romantic, warm and loving yet cold and distant at the same time. I suppose this is an achievement iitself and is maybe why it has the massive cult following it does? Beautifully shot and if you like dolphins (as I do) you will find certain scenes simply mesmeric. I enjoyed Jean Renos performance (as I have in most films ive seen him in) and Barr is also good. Whilst Arquette was annoyingly screechy at times I still couldnt help but warm to her. The film is long at almost 3 hours though it didnt feel like it to me. However, I found the ending sad in a completely unsatisfactory way. Im not of the school of thought that wants (or likes) every ending of a story to be happy-happy-joy-joy (far from it) but I just couldnt understand the choice Jacques made at the end. As far as Bessons films go, give me Leon any day of the week.
Nicolas K

One of a kind.
Marcus W

Early Besson, before he met Hollywood, and it's pretty good. There's some fantastic photography, the likes of which I'd expect from Herzog, but Besson's "energy" is on show thanks to Reno's character. It's a must-see for any fans of Besson, but… More
Early Besson, before he met Hollywood, and it's pretty good. There's some fantastic photography, the likes of which I'd expect from Herzog, but Besson's "energy" is on show thanks to Reno's character. It's a must-see for any fans of Besson, but also worth a watch for everybody else.
Sarah B

To take this film on face value would be a travesty. Deeply philosophical, extremely beautiful, perfectly peaceful, with added Besson and Reno.
Leo L

A favorite in/of my childhood.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Jean-Marc Barr as Jacques Mayol

            Jean Reno as Enzo Molinari

            Rosanna Arquette as Johanna

            Griffin Dunne as Duffy

            Paul Shenar as Dr.Laurence

            Sergio Castellitto as Novelli

            Jean Bouise as Uncle Louis

            Marc Duret as Roberto

            Andreas Voutsinas as Priest

            Valentina Vargas as Bonita

            Kimberly Beck as Sally

            Alessandra Vazzoler as Mamma Enzo's Mother

            Bruce Guerre-Berthelot as Young Jacques

            Gregory Forstner as Young Enzo

            Claude Besson as Jacques' Father

            Geoffrey Carey as Supervisor

            Pierre-Alain DeGarrigues as Superintendent

            Franco Diogene as Receptionist

            Patrick Fontana as Alfredo

            Paul Herman as Taxi Driver in US

            Jacques Levy as Doctor

            Constantin Alexandrov as Dolphin Trainer

            Claude Robin as Taxi Driver

            Rosario Campese as Waiter

            Tredessa Dalton as Carol

            Eric Do as Japanese Diver

            Andre Germe as Filipino Diver

            Marika Gevaudan as Angelica

            Nicolas Maltos as Diving Coordinator on Platform

            Marc Planceon as Paramedic

            Jan Rouiller as Noireuter

            Peter Semler as Frank

            Ronald Teuhi as Tahitian Diver
See full cast

The Big Blue (Le Grand bleu) (1988)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Arash X

xGary X

Justin F

Nicolas K

Marcus W

Sarah B

Leo L

Cast

Trailers & Clips