I only ever saw The Abyss in the cinema -- have never revisited it since. I admit I was bowled-over by the film's visuals and epic scope (which are certainly impressive on the big screen), but on reflection, the message of the film was utterly simplistic and didactic -- humanity is on the brink of being annihilated by an advanced undersea race because we're such terrible people. But they relent because Harris and Mastrantonio -- the people you (rightly) point out as being venal and unconcerned about the sub crew -- exchange a few sentimental words.Eric Paddon wrote: ↑Sun May 01, 2022 10:27 pm I recognize of course that no one on the sub was still alive, but my goodness we don't know this when the film begins, and when you're going to force me to care about these characters and the stupid on the rocks relationships of Harris and Mastrantonio, you'd better give me characters who have a little more basic humanity in them!
For all its dazzling visual and underwater technical viruosity, it's really not much more than a mash-up Close Encounters and Grey Lady Down.