Review of The Blue Lagoon

Despite gleaming Oscar-nominated cinematography by no less an auteur than Nestor Almendros and an epic-sized music score from Basil Poledouris that seems ready to sound a romantic Second Coming, this screen-adaptation of Henry De Vere Stacpoole's novel (following a 1949 version starring Jean Simmons) became a preposterous success. To whom is it intended to appeal: budding teenage romanticists or prurient grown-up voyeurs? Two Victorian-age youngsters, prepubescent cousins on a high seas voyage, abandon ship after a fire and seek refuge on a tropical island with their elderly guardian, who soon dies. Marooned and alone (save for some drum beats in the distance), the two quickly mature and become curious about their own bodies and each other's. Muscles! Menstruation! Director Randal Kleiser makes an attempt early on to keep the mood light; however, this version seems even more naïve than the original (ridiculous as well, with two plot threads--a hostile tribe on the other side of the island and a threat of poisonous red berries--left dangling). Brooke Shields (or, rather, her body double) and Christopher Atkins show us lots of skin, but barely a trace of acting talent. Infuriating movie has water on the brain. Followed by a sequel/remake in 1991, in which we're told the characters from this film didn't simply "fall asleep" after eating those ominous berries, but perished in their boat on the water. At least the turtles made out all right. ** from ****