Devil and the Deep

Strange movie and pretty over the top.

Doesn’t get going at any point and the final third is mostly frustrating to watch. Laughton and Bankhead play their roles well. Cooper doesn’t convince.

The acting and overall tone of the movie is very hammy, as in the film just feels "fake". Which is never, ever a good thing. With actors such as Cooper and Grant in this film, you would think the film would be better. But, Grant is in the film for all of 20 minutes and Cooper isn't given very much to do. Bankhead is the focus and as such is the only actor that shines, she does quite well; though, a little forced.

With such a cast one should have hoped for so much more. Cool seeing Charles Laughton in such an early role. A little out of place as a submarine commander, but still good and a jealous madman. I wish they'd swapped the roles of Cary Grant and Gary Cooper. Grant is the first officer that Laughton kicks out and Cooper struggles to steal the scenes as the new love interest for Tallulah Bankhead who is the real star of this vehicle and gives a strong performance. Just wish the direction was better.

Even for the time period, this romantic tragedy is quite the yarn. I mean, Bankhead, Laughton, and Cooper all end up on submarine, in peril? Laughton's often perfect hamminess is unsuitable here and Cooper is given very little to do. The show is clearly Bankhead's and she makes the film watchable. It is, though, an eye-roller.