The Sea Change (1998) Reviews

• Surprisingly nice movie

  harald2003-01-04

  Before watching movies on the TV I often check IMDB to see if the movie is worth while watching. I was not expecting too much when I saw the score of 4.8 at the time, but I read the reviews, and decided to watch it. Movie summary Rupert is an achieving and hard working business man, trampling on everyone at work, and without the capability to be nice to the one he loves. But from the beginning you get some indications that he is a nice man underneath. Alison is a more relaxed and nice woman who somehow has fallen in love with Rupert. Rupert decides to go to Barcelona to close a deal, on an important day for both Rupert and Alison. He gets stuck on his way back, and is stuck with "common people", and he is not able to hold his promises to Alison. The rest of the story I leave to watchers of the movie, but the main story holds few surprises. Very quickly you get to know the characters, some of the characters are maybe a little bit unrealistic, but you get the point for their roles. You also feel for all the main characters, and you do want to know how the film ends. The film has a very "cheap" look, it is obvious that it doesn't have a high budget. The music score is maybe the worst part of the production, some of the dialouge is bad. But the most important parts of communications are ok, I particularly liked the character Chas (Ray Winstone), save the over-common clothing. The film has a light mood to it, and is 100% not Hollywood. It has a resemblance to a farce on theater, but its story is serious enough. I very much enjoyed the movie, and recommend it to everyone, it is probably not a movie for action-loving youth. It was first after watching the movie, when I returned to IMDB to give my score of 7 that I discovered that the weighting system of IMDB has been very unfair to this movie. It has (at the time of writing) a score of 4.8, and a arithmetic mean of 7.3. I never hesitate to watch movies with a score around 7, but below 5 is not normally my movie.

• A good romp

  smeeagingoan2002-12-05

  Like the first reviewer, I think this was a real fun film and I would echo that the best parts were the scenes dealing with airport security and airline staff. It shows well the all too common frustration when one remonstrates with personnel who want to treat you like cattle in a slaughter-house, and of course they have the upper hand and do not hesitate to use it. I don't think this will ever be an in-flight movie! Sean Chapman overdoes the high-handed, arrogant banker a little but probably that was intentional, it made it hard to identify with him. I would definitely watch this again.

• Fear of drowning

  jotix1002010-11-19

  The phobia Rupert experienced about drowning, was brought about by a careless father. It seems to be the cause for the way he looked at life when he became an adult, or so, the creators of this English comedy want us to believe. Rupert, who became a successful, and ruthless lover, had no pity for anyone that ever worked for him. Even with Alison, his lovely girlfriend, Rupert never got to express the way he felt about her. The only way he was able to express what he felt for her translated in having his secretary buy her expensive presents that, while welcomed by the gorgeous woman, she felt a personal touch by Rupert would have been better than receiving meaningless gifts. Rupert gets a good lesson in life when he decides to return to London earlier than he had planned, in order to surprise Alison, whose birthday is going to be celebrated. Everything goes bad for this perfectionist. He cannot travel in first class, as it is his custom. To make matters worse, he is seated next to a rough construction worker, Chas, from London traveling in his undershirt. If that were not enough, Rupert has to share a room with the man. One thing comes out of the experience: Rupert is thrown in the hotel pool by Chas, and suddenly, he can swim! The allure of watching this English film, directed by Michael Bray, was catching Ray Winstone in a comedy, not exactly a departure from the heavy types which he plays normally. Alas, his participation comes only toward the last part of the film, and Mr. Winstone is 'drowned' by the material he was asked to play. Faring better, Sean Chapman, who is the ruthless lawyer. Maryam D'Abo does what she can as Alison, the frustrated girlfriend. The film offers some laughs, but do not expect too much, that way, perhaps, it will be enjoyed more.

• A beautifully polished stylish gem

  martinlunn2002-09-01

  I watched this film primarily because I read that part of it was set in Barcelona, but that is the least reason to watch it. It is a hilarious depiction of the English class system, reserve, and cynicism. It has hilarious scenes, made all the funnier for anticipating what is about to evolve.

• Great fun!

  ajji-22001-06-24

  I caught this movie on the telly, late one night. i was a in a particularly bad mood, so it goes to the credit of this film that even though the plight of the protagonist reminded me of my own woes, i was enjoying the film thoroughly (despite poor satellite reception). i even laughed out loud a few times. the stewardess/pilot scenes are a scream. all in all, good entertainment.