The Deep Blue Sea feels like a British updating of Anna Karenina. Set in a gloomy postwar London of the 1950s, the story deals with a young woman -- married to a much older man – who engages in a self-destructive love affair with a former RAF pilot. Adapted from a play by Terence Rattigan and directed by Terence Davies, the film is a real downer despite a superb star turn by Rachel Weisz and some excellent period details, including pubs and songs. In fact, I’m still in a deep funk from seeing this one -- and too blue now to write a regular review. The poem below will have to do.

No, The Deep Blue Sea

didn’t work for me.

Yet its star is great

as a lovesick mate.

Rachel Weisz can act.

Never doubt that fact.

But to watch her cry,

even try to die?

Please make no mistake -

that’s quite hard to take.

This film holds no cheer

despite songs and beer.   

If sad makes you glad,

it might not be bad.

Still, best left a play

is all I can say.   

(Released by Music Box Films and rated “R” for scenes of sexuality and nudity.)

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