Dark Water (2005)

Director:

Walter Salles

Writers (WGA):

Kôji Suzuki (novel)
Hideo Nakata (film Honogurai mizu no soko kara) ...

Release Date:

8 July 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

This Season, The Mystery Of The Darkness Will Consume Your Life

Plot:

A mother and daughter, still wounded from a bitter custody dispute, hole up in a run-down apartment building. Adding further drama to their plight, they are targeted by the ghost of former resident.

Plot Keywords:

Apartment | Water | School | New York City | Ghost

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jennifer Connelly	...	Dahlia Williams
John C. Reilly	...	Mr. Murray
Tim Roth	...	Jeff Platzer
Dougray Scott	...	Kyle Williams
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Veeck
Camryn Manheim	...	Teacher
Ariel Gade	...	Cecilia 'Ceci' Williams
Perla Haney-Jardine	...	Natasha Rimsky / Young Dahlia
Debra Monk	...	Young Dahlia's Teacher
Linda Emond	...	Mediator
Bill Buell	...	Mediator
J.R. Horne	...	Man in Train
Elina Löwensohn	...	Dahlia's Mother
Warren Belle	...	UPS Man
Alison Sealy-Smith	...	Supervisor

Also Known As:

Água Negra (Brazil) [pt]
Agua turbia (Argentina) [es]
Dark Water (France) [fr]
Dark Water - Dunkle Wasser (Germany) [de]
Dark water - La huella (Spain) [es]
Eau trouble (Canada: French title) [fr]
Karanlik su (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Stoiheiomeno nero (Greece) [el]
Tumma vesi (Finland) [fi]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, frightening sequences, disturbing images and brief language.

Runtime:

105 min | 103 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Sweden:15 | France:-12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Philippines:PG-13 | Germany:16 | Iceland:12 (theatrical rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Malaysia:U | USA:Unrated (unrated DVD version) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | New Zealand:M | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | Australia:M | Ireland:15A | Finland:K-15 | Singapore:PG | Argentina:13 | Norway:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Brazil:12

Filming Locations:

Chandler Valley Center Studios - 13927 Saticoy Street, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

A color dye usually used in concentrated gels for soft drinks was added to the water to turn it to a dark color.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the custody office when Dahlia is arguing with Kyle over hers and Ceci's relocation, Dahlia takes out a newspaper cutting detailing how good the school near her new apartment is; she holds it up with her right hand. In the following shot the article has switched hands, and Kyle snatches it from her left hand.

Quotes:

Dahlia: [Referring to Natasha] I can't be her mother...I don't know how to be myself!

Movie Connections:

References The Shining (1980)

Soundtrack:

I Got Soul

A lot more than a remake

Having seen both the Japanese original and Walter Salles' remake i find the remake was the best thing that could happen to this story. Salles picks up the original story without making just a copy. He fills the gaps (and there were plenty), corrects a lot of little flaws and adds the credibility that was lacking in the original. The original was in parts a horror movie, and a very poor one so. Predictable behavior, foreseen turnings, forced mysteriousness - the usual problems i have with so many horror movies. The other part is a family drama, with a weird happy end. The happiness of which intrudes into the horror story and further degrades it. Salles goes more than a step further here by not making a simple horror movie. Rather he's making a stressful movie. Stress? The stresses of everyday life in a difficult situation. A recent divorce, fighting for the custody of the child, low budget, cheap noisy apartment with wet ceiling, trouble at school, no contact with neighbors, careless caretakers and managers. It's a context fueled by very real issues people are struggling with every day. The mysterious components only add to this and drive it, until they finally take over. Very dense atmosphere and Jennifer Connelly's excellent acting make you feel this stress. What more can you ask for?