The Dive - 90 Minutes on Amazon with 22 Minutes of Air

Two sisters go in shore diving in Malta, dropping off a couple spare tanks on their long walk down hill to a deserted beach. At 100 feet, an underwater avalanche drops a massive rock on the older one's leg. She has 22 minutes of air left in her tank. What to do? Thankfully she's obviously a light breather able to cope with the stress, while her sister goes after more air. And more air. And there is no one around, except a passing boat.

About two-thirds of the film takes place underwater. The underwater cliffs of Gozo, where it was filmed, are stunning, the photography well done, even the close ups in an indoor tank. The two women conveniently wear full face masks with microphones, allowing them to converse (in English), not only about how to get big sister out from between a rock and a hard place, but about their personal relationship, demonstrated by flashbacks to their youth. It's a distraction, but then, it's a movie. I focused on the race against the clock, as the younger sister must bring enough air for her sister while she figures out how to free her leg.

While it's a bit of a nail biter, one might guess the outcome. Still, there are a few twists and turns along the way, and little sister's effort to free her sister shows a bit of ingenuity. While a diver has to suspend belief here and there, the director and his crew clearly know diving well and don't embarrass themselves.

To me, it was more of a puzzle than a thriller, worth my time, if for no other reason than trying to figure out what I would do.

- Ben Davison

"Dive" is a German film, starring Australian actor Sophie Lowe and American actor Louisa Krause. You can see the trailer here. www.imdb.com/title/tt13566172