Twelve-year old Dean Stockwell (yep, the same Dean Stockwell from the original Quantum Leak TV show in the 80’s / 90’s) is an orphan from a fishing family who is now placed in a local fishing village by a social worker (Jean Peters) who has a deep hatred for the fishing industry because of how many people die from commercial fishing. Also, her ex-fiancée (Dana Andrews) is a fisherman and neighbor’s with the woman (Anne Revere) who takes in the boy. The social worker then gets upset when the boy shows an interest in fishing...in a fishing village where the only thing to do is fish.
All of the conflicts in DEEP WATERS arise solely from the characters not talking to each other. Then, at the very end of the film, when they actually tell each other their feelings everybody’s like...oohhhhhhh! Okay, cool. Then, literally, ride off together (in a boat) into the sunset. Normally, simplistic storytelling like that would put a thorn in my handsome sack, but with DEEP WATERS I didn’t care because I really like all of the actors in the movie and was just happy to see them perform. Especially Dana Andrews who’s always so relaxed and natural on screen. Dude is awesome. Also, Mary McKay is always just such a delight to watch in anything she ever did. Which, sadly, wasn't a lot.
Bland direction, okay pacing, zero gore, zero nudity, littering, weak as fuck story that's salvaged by solid performances. I am kinda tickled though by that poster art showing Andrews swooping up Jean in his lusty arms as the turbulent storm of his loins, I mean, the sea rages behind them...there was zero sexual chemistry between those characters in the movie.
