Sea of Love (1989)

Sea Of Love
I've been looking at purchasing the HD DVD release of 'Sea Of Love', but haven't been overwhelmed by the responses of the big league review sites. The message I'm getting is that 'Sea Of Love' doesn't cut it relative to 'Basic Instinct', and that the transfer to HD DVD is haphazard.

I just want to say I've seen both films several times and my biggest question is whether 'Sea Of Love' looks best in 1.33:1 or 1.85:1 (I have both LD versions) -- personally, I prefer the picture composition at 1.33:1 (as originally shot), rather than the masked down widescreen 1.85:1.

More importantly, 'Basic Instinct' is a very slick and hip film with a very slimy underbelly -- whereas 'Sea Of Love' has heart and soul and depth of characterization that leaves that other film in the shade. If overt sex, sensuality, and titilation is what you're really interested in, then 'Basic Instinct' delivers in spades -- go for it! On the other hand, if you are looking for down to earth characters with real world feelings and a darned good plot, then 'Sea Of Love' is killer -- a truly fine film!

Best of it's kind?
I was expecting better after reading the Amazon review: "this taut 1989 thriller", "Expertly written", "...Sea of Love one of the best films of its kind".. What does this mean? What kind of movie is Sea of Love? A thriller? Yes. One of the best of it's kind? No. Taut? Well, about as taut as John Goodman. Expertly written? A little strong. The tension between Al and the guy who stole his wife seemed a bit forced. The ending seemed forced (if not silly - that much the Amazon review got right). Even the love scenes, while not terrible, seemed a bit forced, and I didn't believe in Al's attraction for her, though Ellen Barkin did seem to become progressively attractive as the movie went on.

I suppose I got this movie because Al was in it. But for good Pacino movies, check out "Carlito's Way", or "Godfather II". "Insomnia" was a great recent one as well. Maybe it's the Goodman factor. I've a hard time taking seriously movies that plays in, although he was better in this than in "The Big Lebowski" (he was actually good in "O Brother, Where art thou?" but then everything was good in that movie). Ellen Barkin was fun to watch. Still, this movie isn't a "must-see".

Movie's okay, but what's with the packaging?
An average procedural, but with a decent performance by Pacino and some steamy Ellen Barkin scenes. But what's with that AWFUL cover image? The original Poster image was not only vastly superior, but fairly recognizable. If 'Sea of Love' wasn't on the cover, I'd have a hard time knowing what movie it was. And Al looks completely stoned. Just horrible packaging.