REACHING cinemas possibly too late in the summer to scare the bejesus out of tourists who fancy a dip in the ocean, Open Water arrives amid a flurry of hype proclaiming this low budget shocker to a be Blair Witch meets Jaws fright-fest.

While the film is no match for either of those movies, it does have that most tantalising of tag lines - "Based on a true story".

Married couple Susan and Daniel, played by newcomers Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis, leave behind their hectic lifestyle of laptops and mobile phones for the peace and tranquillity of an exotic holiday spot for a well earned break.

Opting for a spot of scuba diving as a relaxing alternative to their usual routine, however, proves to be a big mistake.

Taking to the water with 18 other like-minded people on a tourist vessel, the couple observes the beautiful marine life without a care in the world - only to return to the surface to find their boat, and the rest of their party, gone.

Once the reality of the situation hits them - alone and 20 miles from the closest shore line, director Chris Kentis gradually cranks up the tension.

Using brief, almost subliminal glimpses, the audience becomes aware that the couple is not alone. They are in fact, surrounded by sharks.

As the budget wouldn't allow fancy CGI, (thank the Lord - did you see Deep Blue Sea?!), the film makers used the real thing. Lots of them..

The first sighting of a fin makes that primordial something click inside you. Knowing these potential killers are so close to the actors makes Susan and Daniel's situation horribly authentic.

What starts out as a 'we're in this together'-type situation, soon descends into the couple blaming each other. Once those sharks come a-calling though, the couple shares only one thought: survival.

Kentis has managed to craft a fairly competent chiller, but is let down by both budget and talent restraints. Shots of the couple at night, lit only by the storm raging around them are truly cinematic, but then he throws in a sunset that wouldn't look out of place on Auntie Maureen's holiday video.

As for the performances, Blanchard Ryan is fine as Susan, but Daniel Travis is so wooden he could float without the aid of his scuba gear.

What you're left with is a fine, once to be seen, never to be repeated film. There are a few genuine jump out of your seat moments, as well as the 'what would I do in that situation', feeling; however the whole thing lacks the overall bite to truly reel you in.

In saying that, it'll be a long time before you strap on those flippers again.

STEVE COURT

UCI, Odeon