Naive young sailor Johnny (Hopper) lobs into a seaside town on shore leave and discovers the beguiling Mora (Lawson), dark, sensuous beauty who dons a fish tail to play a sideshow mermaid for a living. But her mysterious past and strange affinity with the sea and its inhabitants causes concern among the townsfolk who implore Johnny to walk away before he ends up dead. Moody, black and white bleached beatnik treatment with some funky jazz arrangements cloaks a clever thriller that might be regarded as laboured to some, but there's a satisfying climax for those who can hang in till the end.
Hopper is simple and understated, never intellectualising his small-town character who's just in uniform to see the world, without appreciating what's beneath the surface (there's a critical scene where Hopper thinks he's going to set Lawson straight on her mermaid fantasy, but Lawson's wisdom as she calmly emasculates his blind, patriotic ignorance is a poignant observation). Lawson is sultry and seductive, burdened by the sinister secret of the sea, her adopted guardian played by Gavin Muir as the lonely sea captain is another tortured soul, for whom there must be some sympathy. Luana Anders has a minor supporting role for those familiar with her pert, Cheshire grin and hometown girl appeal. She has little to contribute but her coffee, nevertheless, she's a scene stealer all the same.
Well photographed and scripted, the dialogue is tightly focused and delivered with precision - Harrington has crafted a compelling pocket-sized thriller that culminates in a climax that's sudden, shocking and sure to please. There might be a snag or two with the convenience of the conclusion and a seemingly unresolved sub-plot, but they're not deal breakers.
Hopper is simple and understated, never intellectualising his small-town character who's just in uniform to see the world, without appreciating what's beneath the surface (there's a critical scene where Hopper thinks he's going to set Lawson straight on her mermaid fantasy, but Lawson's wisdom as she calmly emasculates his blind, patriotic ignorance is a poignant observation). Lawson is sultry and seductive, burdened by the sinister secret of the sea, her adopted guardian played by Gavin Muir as the lonely sea captain is another tortured soul, for whom there must be some sympathy. Luana Anders has a minor supporting role for those familiar with her pert, Cheshire grin and hometown girl appeal. She has little to contribute but her coffee, nevertheless, she's a scene stealer all the same.
Well photographed and scripted, the dialogue is tightly focused and delivered with precision - Harrington has crafted a compelling pocket-sized thriller that culminates in a climax that's sudden, shocking and sure to please. There might be a snag or two with the convenience of the conclusion and a seemingly unresolved sub-plot, but they're not deal breakers.