The sex appeal of Ana de Armas and the brooding charisma of Ben Affleck take center stage in “Deep Water” (Hulu), an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1957 psychological thriller. It’s another rung on the rising career ladder of de Armas, who is simply a hologram model (albeit a striking one) in “Blade Runner 2049″ but has since shown acting skills and versatility.
An unusual marriage story
The actress plays a meek maid in “Knives Out,” and a quirky young agent in “No Time to Die” — stealing the movie from James Bond during her too-short appearance. In veteran director Adrian Lyne’s “Deep Water,” de Armas’ Melinda calls to mind Penelope Cruz’s sexpot roles like in “Vicky Christina Barcelona,” although this film is not comedic.
But it is funny (not “ha ha” funny) how Melinda openly makes out with guys at the rich-folks parties she and husband Vic (Affleck) frequent in their lavish, woodsy community. Vic allows these dalliances; he loves her for who she is and doesn’t intend to squelch her fire.
“Deep Water” (2022)
Director: Adrian Lyne
Writers: Zach Helm, Sam Levinson (screenplay); Patricia Highsmith (novel)
Stars: Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas, Tracy Letts
This almost-open marriage is open-minded, but don’t mistake Vic for being a good guy. He bluntly tells Melinda’s latest side piece, Joel (Brendan Miller), that he killed the previous guy in his position. Affleck is great here; Joel and we can’t tell if Vic is putting him on.
Magnetically bad people
Even if Vic is not a murderer, and even if Melinda comes home to Vic at the end of the day, these are not good people. Yet they aren’t repulsive. Their biographies might be gross – Vic is the inventor of a computer chip used in the US military’s drone bombers, killers of countless innocents – but their behavior is magnetic.
I was rooting for Vic, whether innocent or guilty, within the film’s context; he’s polite at parties, and actually a bit of a wallflower – something relatable to many. Meanwhile, Melinda’s pouty expression pairs with a sensual body draped in dresses in danger of slinking off her shoulders. It’s hard for straight male viewers to think about anything beyond her physical appeal.
Composer Marco Beltrami complements rather than intruding upon “Deep Water’s” luxurious early pacing. But we’re soon hit with weirdly blunt events such as dinner guest Don (Tracy Letts) outright accusing Vic of murder.
In a way, the film is too pleasant to watch; it could use more uneasiness. Its edgiest aspect is that Vic and Melinda are raising a young daughter, Trixie (Grace Jenkins). The usual family drama scenes get a dark spice. At bath time, Vic explains that he did not drown Melinda’s latest lover in the pool, but that if he did, he could spend life in prison. By his tone, Vic could be explaining why it’s important for Trixie to do her homework.
“Deep Water” wades into the moral repugnancies of the entitled class, but it doesn’t have a fresh angle on the subject. As an adaptation of an old novel, it has the feel of an outdated classic at times. Despite Vic’s 21st century-style path to riches, it’s not a bitingly modern thriller. But Affleck and de Armas make the intrigue run deeper than the story itself.