Black Sea, film review: The screenplay is leaky as the ancient, Soviet-era submarine
(15) Kevin Macdonald, 115 mins Starring: Jude Law, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn
![Sinking feeling: Jude Law stars in 'Black Sea'](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2014/12/04/19/BlackSea.jpg)
Your support helps us to tell the story
In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.
Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.
Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives
![Head shot of Kelly Rissman](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/kelly-rissman.png)
Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
The director Kevin Macdonald does a very good job in capturing the claustrophobia and fear that a submarine crew feel as a mission goes wrong.
His thriller, scripted by Dennis Kelly (who wrote Matilda the Musical), is very well cast, too. Its protagonists are craggy-faced old-timers who've reached middle-age with nothing to show for themselves.
After years of working for the navy or for salvage companies, they're on the dole, or in dead-end jobs, many estranged from their families. That's why they're ready to take part in a reckless underwater mission to salvage German U-boat gold discovered in the depths of the Black Sea. An impressive Jude Law, adopting a thick Scottish brogue, plays their skipper, Robinson.
Early on, we are told that submarines are like whores – the old ones treat you best. Unfortunately, the screenplay here proves as leaky as their ancient, Soviet-era vessel. The behaviour and motivations of the crew-members, especially that of the near-psychopathic Fraser (Ben Mendelsohn), are hard to fathom.
The film seems caught between Robert Louis Stevenson or Jules Verne-style escapism and gritty realism. The tensions between the western crew-members and their Russian colleagues flare into violence for no obvious reason. A film that is very strong on atmosphere becomes increasingly far-fetched the deeper the submarine sinks.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments