Spoiler Warnings: Deep WaterDeep Water, starring Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas, paints the picture of what it’s like to be in a twisted, dysfunctional marriage. In the film, Vic (Affleck) allows his wife Melinda (Armas) to carry out a series of extramarital affairs in his attempt to avoid a divorce. However, the disappearance of her lovers put him at the center of speculation. Although movie watchers have their fair share of concern, as it relates to the film’s preemies and effectiveness to reach audiences, each character possesses their own flaws, which makes for an exciting thriller.
The film follows the lives of Vic Van Allen, a retired architect who became financially successful after manufacturing highly technological computer chips, and his wife Melinda Van Allen, a young woman who is unhappy in her role as a wife and mother. The two navigate their loveless marriage, taking care of their daughter, and appearing to have it all together, even though the cracks in their relationship are notable for the outside world to see. Though Vic puts on the brave face that he’s too mature to be hurt by what his wife is doing, his reactions prove to counteract his words. Searching for excitement and an endless need to be free from responsibilities, Melinda engages in relationships with her “friends” that she quickly immerses into her and Vic’s social group. As Melinda nonchalantly brings her lovers around to interact with their friends (who also are obviously uncomfortable), Vic grows increasingly disturbed by her child-like actions.
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As Melinda, Ana de Armas brings a uniquely distinct atmosphere compared to previous characters she’s become successful for portraying. Whether it’s Marta Cabrera from Knives Out or CIA Agent Paloma in No Time to Die, Melinda’s ruthlessness is tough to take in but also difficult to look away from watching. For Ben Affleck, his leading role as Vic Van Allen is acted out brilliantly, yet frustrating to watch. As a viewer, you feel for Vic because he’s hurt by the actions of his wife, but on the other hand, yelling at the television screen while commanding him to stand up for himself becomes a repeated activity that seems hopeless. After watching Deep Water, here are some of the takeaways we’ve gathered.
The Daughter Senses Something Is Off
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As Melinda is portrayed in less than favorable light, one of the most important people in her life (while this is debatable to viewers) picks up on the unconventional setting, her daughter Trixie (Grace Jenkins). The disconnect between Melinda and Trixie is truly sad to watch, from Melinda being annoyed every time Trixie asks Alexa to play her favorite song to her confession that she ever wanted to have a family in the first place. It’s unsettling to see how disassociated Melinda is with her own child. In the scene where Melinda invites her fellow friend, Joel (Brendan C. Miller), to the family’s home for dinner, Trixie is distraught by his presence and confesses to her father that she doesn’t want Joel there.
As we know, children pick up on tense situations through the reactions of adults. It’s evident that Trixie is more connected to her dad than her mom, and watching his discomfort in Joel being there sets in for her.
The Unspoken Agreement is One-Sided
If you looked up hypocritical in the dictionary, Melinda’s picture would be there. She can dish her malicious ways, but she can’t take them. As Vic copes with the fact that his marriage is beyond repairable, he stands by and turns a blind eye to Melinda’s indiscretions in an attempt to keep his family together. However, what really bothers Melinda is watching her husband dance with another woman in front of her.
This makes no logical sense because Melinda is the one kissing men in front of Vic, bringing them into her home for family dinners, and unleashing havoc. Why be upset when a single dance is harmless, compared to those reckless behaviors. Yes, Vic is intentionally placing himself in a position to make Melinda jealous (and it worked), but what will tit-for-tat do for a character like Melinda? She’s authentically enthralled by the chaos she brings into her life, which is disturbing.
Despite the fact that Vic claims repeatedly that he’s not jealous of Melinda’s affairs is a flat-out lie. The truth is, Vic is not innocent in all this either. He’s been rumored to have murdered one of his wife’s former “friends” by his own admission, and although infidelity is bad, murder is an action that not even he can come back from.
In some respect, viewers are emotionally tied to Vic’s story, mostly due to the fact that the film is conveyed from his point of view. Also, because of Melinda’s blatant disregard for humiliating him in such a public way. Whenever Vic tries to have a serious conversation with his wife, she either wants to make obscene gestures or berate him emotionally in order to deflect from her obvious wrongdoings. Throughout this twisted game of cat and mouse that Melinda effectively sets up, there are people who are affected by her actions. However, she has limited to no care in the world for them unless it’s her “friends” who ironically end up dead. Her own daughter is seeing odd men come into their family home, and it’s apparent that she’s disturbed by this, while her own husband is enraged. This constantly leads viewers to ask the golden question, what will it take for Vic to finally back out of this horrific marriage.
