15-year-old Mike takes a job at the local swimming baths, where he becomes obsessed with an attractive young woman, Susan, who works there as an attendant.
Although Susan has a fiancé, Mike does his best to sabotage the relationship, to the extent of stalking both her and her fiancé. Mike becomes increasingly desperate to have Susan for himself, with tragic results. Read more …
Everything about this singular film – the camerawork, the imagery, the soundtrack – feels vibrant and surprising in a way that makes most modern coming-of-age movies look formulaic and, well, shallow.
Deep End is an essential, idiosyncratic addition to the congregation of coming-of-age classics. It exquisitely captures the fluctuating, pulsating madness of teenage hormones and emotions, and the routine calamity of young love.
The stilted acting supports the dream-like atmosphere, the supposedly sexual liberation of the 60s is treated as delusionary farce, and the extraordinary climax is acted out in the empty swimming pool.
Deep End: pulled from the water
General release. Check local listings for show times.