Contrary to someone like Safe Haven director Lasse Hallstrom, Baltasar Kormakur hasn't let his time in Hollywood dull his ability to make a competent Nordic thriller. After establishing himself in his homeland as an actor and filmmaker, Kormakur set off to make his name here in America, directing the Mark Wahlberg action films Contraband and the upcoming 2 Guns. But Kormakur has found a way to juggle his time between here and abroad, and his next Icelandic film is The Deep, a watery tale of survival based on a true story.
The new trailer has hit the web courtesy of ThePlaylist, and one look at the way Kormakur captures the power and majesty of the high seas will tell you why the film was Iceland's official entry at the Oscars last year. The film, which bears a resemblance to The Perfect Storm only in the most superficial way, chronicles a doomed voyage aboard a shipping vessel. Olafur Darri Olafsson is the overweight crewman who overcomes incredible odds and harsh conditions to survive. Kormakur chose to rely on practical effects rather than leaning on CGI, and the result is a film that is devastatingly realistic.
Overall, I enjoyed The Deep, but found that it's a little uneven and the lead character too much of a cipher to fully empathize with. You can check out my review here, then look for the film to hit VOD on May 21st.
