Monday, September 7, 2009

Color Story: The Red in The Deep End

BeRightBack here, with a little Labor Day post brought on by rewatching the 2001 thriller The Deep End.


I was impressed this time not only what I'd remembered about it - Tilda Swinton's gritty, understated work in the central role - but also the careful manipulation of color.


As the film forces Tilda's character to plumb inner reservoirs of strength, the blues that have muted her trademark hair are interrupted by sudden reds -- a blazing coat, a split lip.

This culminates in a climactic scene in an overturned red sportscar, opposite a handsomely bleeding Goran Visnjic, her red hair filtering the light, refracting her character's strength and beauty, illuminating the heart of the film and her performance.


Definitely worth the second look. Happy Labor Day!