Big Blue, The: Director's Cut (DVD, 2000, Director's Cut; Close Captioned)

This movie has some good points.
The scenery is very nice, for example. They do a great job of setting the tone, especially with the little greek village in the opening vignette.
However, the only thing keeping this movie in circulation is its cult status as a "must see" for freedivers. That is also the reason that this review will be panned. Freedive cultists will line up to give it a negative, just to defend their sport.
However, this is a review, not a back patting session, so I am obligated to tell it like I see it.

The script itself is patchy at best. There are some clever parts, but they are overwhelmed by the stupid parts and the boring parts. One review I read actually had the temerity to try and distinguish the "more accurate" parts, such as whether or not Enzo would have worn goggles.
This kind of nitpicking is like giving out speeding tickets at the indy 500, to steal a line from a better screenwriter.
The plot is so far removed from actual freediving, one has to question not only the writers knowledge of the sport, but also that of the fans of this movie.
The acting is generally pretty bad, running from Mayol's wooden demeanor to Rosanna's over eager presentation.
Jean Reno, of course, is far and away the best actor in this film, but few would dispute that he has done better. One pleasant surprise was the kid who played Enzo as a youth. He did a pretty good job of forshadowing the character for us.
To really enjoy this movie, you have to put aside your sense of disbelief. You have to take it at face value whatever they put in front of you, whether its Rosanna's idiot boss falling for her sicilian gambit, or an oil rig hiring Jaques and Enzo for a bell job.
You also have to overlook the obvious murder-suicide at the end. (Think about the end in real life terms, and you will see plainly that Enzo, Jaques only real competition, would have survived, if Jaques had not chased away all the doctors and took him back down.) Yeah.
I liked the original, shorter version, despite all its flaws, so I thought I would check out the extended version.
The shorter version is still better. After viewing the extra footage, it becomes clear that it was cut for a reason. True, you do get to see some naked Rosanna Arquette, and that is a fine sight indeed, but definitely not worth spoiling the rest of the movie for.
As a final yardstick of performance, I would say it is on the top of the heap of movies with the word "Blue" in the title.
So, if you are a freediver, by all means, get some version of this. Even if you don't like it, you have to be able to say that you saw it.
Likewise, if you are a fan of any of the actors in it, might be worth having. Otherwise, rent it.
If this review helped you decide whether or not to buy the movie, by all means, click the little box below to say so.
If you are a real fan of this movie, and hate me for saying bad things, by all means, click the other button.
But only if you are a wimp who has never broken a hundred feet.