In this, French director Luc Besson's (The Professional, The Fifth Element) first English-language film, a deep-sea diving competition in the Mediterranean is the setting for a story of childhood rivalry and new romance. Jean-Marc Barr plays a diver obsessed with the sea who falls in love with an investigator for an insurance firm (Rosanna Arquette) as he prepares for the challenge of his life. Matters are complicated further when his old friend and the current diving champion (Jean Reno) happens on the scene, and both become locked in a duel of sorts to see who can go deeper into the sea and transcend the gulf between man and the mysteries of the deep. Some of the metaphysical ramblings about the divers' abilities becomes a bit far-fetched, but stunning undersea photography combines with exotic locales and with Besson's attempt at a lyrical romance to create a visual feast with an engaging mood to match. --Robert Lane
