A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Deepest Breath” (2023).
“The Deepest Breath” on Netflix is a hell-of-a-good documentary about the dangerous sport of free-diving. The goal is to take a single breath, and then dive down into the ocean – following a weighted rope – and try to get as deep as possible. You wouldn’t immediately think so, but this is edge of the seat stuff.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
We follow the vivacious young Italian girl Alessia Zecchini as she strives to beat all competition to become the female world record holder for freediving. Helping her, in both sport and love, is Irish-born free-diver turned free-diving teacher and safety expert Stephen Keenan.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG. (From the BBFC web site: “Moderate threat”.)
Talent:
Starring: Alessia Zecchini, Stephen Keenan.
Directed by: Laura McGann.
Written by: Laura McGann.
Twitter Handle: #TheDeepestBreath.
Celebrating a success. Alessia Zecchini and Stephen Keenan. (Source: A24).
“The Deepest Breath” Review:
Positives:
- This is a very tense documentary. The film builds a wonderful drum-beat of fear and dread as to what is going to happen. It is edge of the seat stuff.
- The underwater photography is simply beautiful, filmed in exotic locations such as Egypt and the Bahamas.
- The soundtrack by Nainita Desai is hauntingly beautiful.
Negatives:
- Perhaps it turns the emotional screws just a tad too much at times. Scenes where Zecchini’s father is watching his daughter in her world record attempts are clearly filmed as ‘reconstructions; after the event, which makes you scream “False”!
Summary Thoughts on “The Deepest Breath”
This is a near perfect documentary, as you would expect with A24’s name on it. I’d presume that this is going to be a strong contender for an Oscar nomination, and I’d put this one high up on the list of possible winners.
It’s on Netflix. Go and watch it.
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Trailer for “The Deepest Breath”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzH6BI6P4Uo .
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