“The Deep Blue Sea” is an absorbing British film, reminiscent of a 1940s’ Hollywood “weepie.”Rachel Weisz gives a stellar performance in the emotionally wrenching soaper of post-WWII days’ England. Hester Collyer’s (Weisz) loveless, unhappy life with her aristocratic, judicial husband, Sir William Collyer (Simon Russell Beale), compels her to leave the fashionable marriage to reside in squalid conditions. The compensation is passionate lover Freddie Page (Tom Hiddleston). He’s a much younger, mostly penniless, ex-Air Force pilot, irresponsible and unable to offer Hester security. Unfortunately, his love is nowhere comparable to hers and the predictable outcome can only be despair.
Director-screenwriter Terence Davies’ screen adaptation of Terence Rattigan’s 1950s’ stage production is well-made and heightened by mood music. Rachel Weisz is impressive in the characterization of a lovelorn woman, and Tom Hiddleston is believable as the callow lover in this period drama.
