“Make a sound and I’m going to drown you in the lake.”
A Sundance Standout That Earned Cinematography HonorsScott McGehee and David Siegel, the directing duo behind The Deep End, began developing the project in the late 1990s. Inspired by the 1940s novel The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding and the 1949 film adaptation The Reckless Moment directed by Max Ophüls, they set out to create a modern noir thriller centered around a mother's fierce love and protection for her son. With the help of cinematographer Giles Nuttgens, they crafted a visually stunning and emotionally charged film that caught the attention of the Sundance Film Festival and beyond. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue the 2002 Film Independent Spirit Awards Best Cinematography Nominees series with a conversation about The Deep End.A Mother's Love, a Son's Secret, and a Blackmailer's AgendaIn our discussion of The Deep End, we explore the central premise of the film – a mother who discovers a dead body and believes her son is responsible. Tilda Swinton portrays Margaret Hall, a woman who makes a quick decision to cover up the crime. As the plot progresses, a blackmailer enters the picture, complicating matters further. While we both appreciate aspects of the film, we find ourselves divided on the effectiveness of the story and Swinton's performance. The cinematography, however, remains a standout element, earning its Independent Spirit Award nomination.Other Discussion Points
