Titled "Dangerous Waters," this maritime thriller initially wobbles on its narrative legs but soon steadies itself, primarily functioning as an unexpected platform to showcase the remarkable transformation of its young Israeli-American protagonist, Odeya Rush. In a relatively short span of just over 90 minutes, viewers witness the character morph from a moody adolescent into a decisive, sharpshooting commando. Director John Barr ambitiously attempts a cinematic juggling act, fusing elements of intense familial conflict, harrowing survival narrative, and unbridled action - components potent enough to independently drive a film. However, he chooses to interweave them into a single, multifaceted adventure. The result is a bold, if not always coherent, escapade that teeters on the ridiculous yet manages to keep audiences engaged through its sheer unpredictability and pace.
The storyline follows Rose (embodied by Rush), who finds herself aboard a yacht sailing towards Bermuda, an opportunity presented through her mother Alma's (Saffron Burrows) budding relationship with Derek (Eric Dane), a man with a background in private security. Though Rose is visibly repulsed by the blossoming affection between the two, she holds some happiness for her mother, who has been a single parent for years. However, the discovery of a military-grade weapon concealed within the yacht's lower compartments raises alarming questions about Derek's history and intentions. The gravity of her discovery becomes chillingly clear when their boat is violently boarded by a gang of marauders, desperately scouring for a suitcase under the orders of a mysterious figure referred to only as “the Captain.”
"Dangerous Waters" takes a strategic narrative approach under Barr's direction, sidestepping the pitfall of overloading the film with cumbersome character backstories. This narrative crispness is particularly effective as the plot unfolds, with Rose leveraging her recently learned maritime skills to navigate the treacherous situation she finds herself in. However, the storyline encounters stormy seas with its abrupt and somewhat contrived plot developments upon Rose's arrival on land, especially as the film portrays Derek’s duplicity and self-centeredness in a way that feels increasingly overblown and caricatural.
The credibility of the narrative encounters further challenges with Rose’s sudden and drastic transformation into an adept killer aboard a nefarious vessel of vice, an arc that interestingly mirrors the tropes of a Steven Seagal action flick, though with a welcome gender reversal. Additionally, the shadowy character of the Captain comes to light as none other than Ray Liotta, who, in his swan song performance - following his unfortunate demise during production - brings a unique, almost manic energy, evocative of a delirious William Shatner.
In the face of its exaggerated twists and outright implausibilities, "Dangerous Waters" manages to sustain a certain dark momentum, thanks to Barr's steadfast direction. This momentum largely glosses over the story's rougher edges and the general sense of absurdity that pervades the film. Thus, while navigating occasionally choppy narrative currents, the movie assures that the audience's voyage is anything but mundane.
