VIDEO OF THE WEEK
The Deep End (2001)
Directors: David Siegel
and Scott McGehee
QQQ1/2
Motherhood is put to the ultimate test in this slow-moving but superbly acted thriller about murder, blackmail and family ties. When the male lover of her 17-year-old son (Jonathan Tucker) is found dead on the shore of their picturesque lakeside home, Tilda Swinton does what any loyal, protective mama would do -- she disposes of the body herself. But when a blackmailer (Goran Visnjic) threatens to expose her son, she's prepared to pay almost any price to see that their secrets never surface. OK, so maybe most moms wouldn't go to such lengths to protect their offspring, but Swinton brings such an earnest desperation to the role, it's hard not to buy into her actions, however far-fetched. Siegel and McGehee make the most of some rather tense moments, and if you're patient enough, this one will really get under your skin. I hope my mom's as tenacious. The DVD includes filmmaker commentary, a making-of featurette, a still gallery and is in widescreen format.