The Big Blue: A Love Letter to the Abyss & a Little Too Much?

Okay, so I finally re-watched The Big Blue (1988) the other night. Man, talk about hitting me right in the Gen X feels! I remember seeing this back in the day, and being swept away. Still gorgeous visuals, no doubt, especially that underwater photography. But revisiting it now, I gotta ask: is it just a TOUCH too melodramatic? I mean, the Jacques/Enzo rivalry is straight outta some Greek tragedy, right? All that posturing and screaming in Italian... felt a little much at times. My theory? Luc Besson was trying to make a modern-day Moby Dick, but with freediving instead of whale hunting. Jacques is Ahab, obsessed with the sea, willing to sacrifice everything (including Johanne) for it. Enzo's sorta like Starbuck, loyal but also questioning. And the dolphin? Well, that's Moby, the unknowable, irresistible force. It's beautifully shot, remember when Jacques dives deeper and deeper, seemingly lured by the dolphin, the visuals and music just build and build, and you completely buy into the beauty of the abyss. But here's the thing: unlike Melville, Besson kinda romanticizes the obsession. It's hard to reconcile the idea of a man basically abandoning his life for the ocean and that being romantic. Rosanna Arquette is amazing as Johanne, she adds a breath of fresh air to the film, but the ending... Jacques just chooses the ocean. I dunno, man. It was a bit much for me this time around. Still visually stunning, though. Anyone else feel this way, or am I just getting cynical in my old age? And one more thing! Did anyone else think Enzo's constant need to one up Jacques was a little pathetic? I mean, seriously, grow up! They clearly loved each other, but that competition just felt so toxic at times. It brought them closer, but it almost got Enzo killed in the end. What was the point?