Director: Ron Scalpello
Writer: Alan McKenna, Paul Staheli (Screenplay) Louis Baxter (Story)
Starring: Danny Huston, Matthew Goode, Joe Cole, Alan McKenna, Ian Pirie, Daisy Lowe, Gemita Samarra
Plot: A group of men are trapped in a small pod on the sea bed, after diving down to fix an oil pipeline and becoming separated from their ship.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Claustrophobic Thriller
Story: Pressure starts when maintenance is need to be done on an oil pipe and the only remaining divers Engel (Huston), Mitchell (Goode), Jones (Cole) and Hurst (McKenna) have to dive down fix the problem while an impending storm is approaching.
When the storm hits the four men find themselves stuck in the bell at the bottom of the ocean after their ship is sank during the storm. The men have to figure out a way to survive and escape their situation or be lost at the bottom of the ocean forever.
Pressure is a good thriller that puts us at the bottom of the ocean trying to find a way to survive against all the odds. We do get a lot of technical diving terms that isn’t easy to pick up for the none diving fans. It is hard to create an easy exit from the confined space which does help the story unfold but also leaves you wondering why they didn’t do any of the easier options which they try nearer the end. You never really believe these guys have a good enough plan to make it out though.
Actor Review
Danny Huston: Engel is the experienced diver who reluctantly has to go on this dive, he knows how to get the job done efficiently. When they become stranded he uses all his skills to stay calm as he knows what he needs to do to survive, even if it has ruthless methods behind it. Danny gives us a solid performance with his character filled with regret for a previous incident in his life.
Matthew Goode: Mitchell is the man selected to lead the mission, he believes the company will come when they need help but when he faces the reality he must use his skills to try and survive. Matthew give us a solid performance but really doesn’t seem to get involved enough.
Joe Cole: Jones is the youngest member of the team with no real dive experience, he is on the job just to get used to being in the water while staying in the bell, but when things go wrong he must listen to the experts to survive. Joe gives us a good performance keeping up with the bigger names in the cast.
Alan McKenna: Hurst is the oldest member of the team, his diving time has taken its toll on his body and his alcohol problem doesn’t help his odds against. He is in no shape to be on this dive making him a risk to the whole team. Alan is solid in this role without being involved too long.
Support Cast: Pressure doesn’t have the biggest supporting cast with most others only appearing in the one or two scenes.
Director Review: Ron Scalpello – Ron gives us a thriller that keeps our attention without being full tension filled.
Thriller: Pressure keeps the thriller on edge without being the full tension driven film.
Settings: Pressure uses the settings really well because there is nowhere to go.
Special Effects: Pressure uses good effects to show the effects of deep sea diving.
Suggestion: Pressure is one to try especially as it is short it is an easy watch. (Try It)
Best Part: Final escape.
Worst Part: Too many technical terms.
Believability: It tries to focus on the real effects while the story is fictional.
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes
Overall: Thriller that doesn’t pull us in enough to the seriousness side of the story.
Rating
