I'll begin by stating that I have not had read the book...yet. And the film is exceptionally old(1958), but my boss(a shark fisherman) recommended this film to me, as I wasn't even aware they created a movie out of it. I was pretty skeptical to say the least before watching it, assuming the entire film would be a drag and not the least bit interesting to me. I was wrong. Undoubtedly the movie was very slow paced(what would you expect on a movie about fishing?), but it had one of the most interesting and emotional stories I've seen in a film. It's about an old man(that's what he's called throughout the film, "old man") who has had a dry spell and not been able to catch anything in 84 days at sea(no not at once). 85 was his lucky number, or so he thought, and so he proceeds to fish and is determined to catch something on this day. He finds a gigantic marlin and a majority of the film is about his struggle with the marlin.

I'm going to leave it there so I don't spoil the story for anyone who may be interested in seeing it that hasn't read the book or doesn't know the story. But my favorite parts about the movie were the character development(of the old man) and the emotion carried throughout the film. As each scene unfolded, you learned something knew about the old man. It's a movie about him coming to a realization with himself, with God, and with mankind. With a tragic story and admittance of defeat, the man comes to realize who he is and what he is and isn't capable of. Yet he never gives up hope.

There isn't much dialogue in the film, other than his conversations with the little boy in the beginning and end of the film, as most of it's either narrated or the old man talking to himself. But the essence of the movie was spectacular.

I give this movie a 9/10 for it's time, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who has an attention span greater than a commercial break.

Last edited by MovieGod on 08-07-2003 at 01:04 AM

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*sniffs* My son did a review.. Am sooo proud.

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Heh. Well you've seen the movie right? What do you think of the review? :}

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This is an old Movie, was an ok movie, honest opinion. I am just sooo happy you posted a review. Come here and give poppa a hug.

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yea I know it's super old
I just never saw it til today.

I probably have a better appreciation for it though because my job is all about shark fishing and that good stuff. I am helping him write a book and develop a sharking website.

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