What’s It About
The true story of seasoned deep-sea divers who battle the raging elements to rescue a crewmate who’s trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
“Last Breath” tells the true story of a diving accident off Scotland’s coast in 2012. Director Alex Parkinson, who previously made a documentary about the same incident, clearly aims for authenticity in this recreation. The film follows a team of saturation divers working at extreme depths to repair an underwater pipeline. When young diver Chris (Finn Cole) gets separated from his oxygen source during a mission, he must rely on limited backup air while his teammates and the ship’s crew desperately try to save him. The movie gets technical details right. The production design carefully recreates both the support ship and the small diving bell where the divers work. The underwater scenes are appropriately murky and claustrophobic, creating a believable environment few viewers would be familiar with. Unlike many films about dangerous jobs that feature stereotypical tough guys, “Last Breath” takes a more nuanced approach. Dave (Simu Liu) begins by appearing stone-faced and earning the nickname “The Vulcan” from peers. His sternness, however, is driven by concern for safety and not machismo. He would not like Chris to be distracted over his fiancée since distraction can be deadly in their line of work. Despite these strengths, the movie lacks in one important department. The characters lack a very profound character depth, and one ends up struggling to fully invest in their fate. Woody Harrelson plays Duncan Allcock, the veteran diver leading the three-man team, but his familiar personality overshadows the role. Liu gives a physically convincing performance as the serious-minded Dave, showing some emotional growth as the crisis unfolds. The main storyline focuses on Chris, the rookie whose life hangs in the balance, but actor Finn Cole fails to make him compelling. The film opens with Chris saying goodbye to his fiancée Hanna (Bobby Rainsbury), yet he remains a bland character throughout – more of a plot device than a person we care about. Meanwhile on the ship above, supervisor Craig (Mark Bonnar), Captain Jenson (Cliff Curtis), and first officer Hanna (Myanna Buring) struggle with power failures and navigation problems while trying to coordinate the rescue. When Chris loses oxygen, most assume he can’t survive more than minutes, creating a race against time as they try to retrieve what they expect to be his body. The underwater special effects are truly stunning, looking realistic and not computer-generated. The sound design is also worth noting – when the diving bell strikes metal in the water, the sound creates physical discomfort among viewers, evoking real tension. These technical aspects serve to offset the movie’s narrative deficits. Unfortunately, the story follows an all-too-predictable path for this kind of disaster movie. Even during the most tense moments, viewers will likely anticipate every development. The climax drags on too long, and the resolution lacks surprise. Paul Leonard-Morgan’s score works overtime to generate emotion where the storytelling falls short. The supporting cast performs adequately, with Bonnar and Curtis standing out, but they’re given little to work with. Their characters are thinly sketched, leaving talented actors to make the most of limited material. “Last Breath” succeeds in documenting a dangerous profession most people know nothing about. It shows the risks taken by workers who ensure Europe’s homes stay heated, highlighting the human cost behind our modern comforts. The film makes a subtle point that corporations could invest in robotics to avoid putting lives at risk but choose not to. Despite strong production values and good intentions, the film never reaches its potential. It should be intensely gripping but instead feels merely competent – efficient rather than thrilling. Harrelson’s recognizable presence constantly reminds viewers they’re watching a movie rather than experiencing a real crisis. Perhaps Parkinson would have been better off sticking with his documentary format, which likely captured the true story more effectively than this dramatization. For viewers interested in learning about saturation diving or seeing a faithful recreation of a real-life rescue, “Last Breath” delivers solid information in an accessible package. But those seeking a truly memorable disaster thriller might be left wanting more.
OUR RATING – A BREATHLESS 4