The Norwegian coastline has a lot of opportunity for diving, even during a colder time of the year. In Breaking Surface, a couple of days after Christmas, avid divers and half-sisters, Ida (Moa Gammel) the Tuva (Madeline Martin), decide to make a dive in a rocky remote area that’s new to them.
When they were young, both girls grew up with a mother who was a noted diver and she always made sure that the youngest was constantly watched over when in water. Now in their thirties, both girls are confident of being able to make long dives without incident.
On this outing however, towards the end of the dive with minimal air in their tanks, a huge rock tumbles from the side of a cliff trapping Tuva deep in the ocean. Ida tries in vein to pull Tuva out from under the huge bolder, but to no avail. With time running out, Ida has to come up with a way to save her sister.
The story may be a bit familiar because with most underwater thrillers, someone usually gets trapped, injured or runs out of air. In this film however, with on land equipment buried by the rock slide, phones not operating and other circumstances beyond Ida’s control, she would need a lot of luck to save Tuva. It’s this moment by moment trial and error along with no one nearby to help, that makes the film exciting and had me gasping for air.
Movies involving water are nearly the most difficult to make as the scene keeps changing as the waves and tide are difficult to control. However, Dirctor Joachim Heden pulls off lengthy underwater shots that should have his audiences on the edge of their seat. Think about how long you can hold your breath, then realize that you are seeing actors doing so for long periods in this film. A tip of my hat to Heden for making me feel like I was with the two girls fighting for my life at the bottom of the sea.
Breaking Surface has not been rated by the MPAA, but does have continuous peril and some language. The rating for Breaking Surface is (4 out of 5 Stars)
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
