"The Deep Blue Sea" starring Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston

One of the things that always energizes me is watching a really special, beautifully-rendered movie that transports me to another time.

Want to spend an hour and a half in post-WWII London? You don't mind depictions of infidelity? You're ok with possibly getting your own heart a little broken by the end?

If so, you must check out this most delicious, devastating period film - The Deep Blue Sea dir. Terence Davies. (Not to be confused with the similarly-titled shark horror movie Deep Blue Sea starring Samuel L. Jackson and Saffron Burrows. Gah.) Unfortunately, The Deep Blue Sea is not available on my Netflix instant queue, so I rented online. Which reminds me how much I love the internets. I love, love, love that we're no longer bound by only whatever happens to be available to us locally. Hallelujah!

Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston (he was Loki in Thor) play these gorgeous young lovers in London circa 1950 who are in the midst of serious identity struggles. She's Hester, a suicidal woman who has recently left her safe, sexless, suffocating marriage to an older judge so she could follow her fleeting passion-- Freddie, a former RAF pilot, who was only ever really happy and useful during the excitement of war. As you can well imagine, after a time, their love's reality doesn't match up with the initial fantasy. Let's just say they're all a mess, their motivations remain enigmatic, and their performances are a treasure to watch.

The supporting cast is also amazing. Hester's mother-in-law is unforgettable, as is the no-nonsense apartment manager, with her spot-on explanation to Hester of what real love is.

As both a history buff and an Anglophile, I was so delighted by the scenes of communal singing - "You Belong To Me" at the pub and "Molly Malone" in the tube. I imagine this was a popular pastime in the British pre-television era. Almost as though it was acceptable for the crowd to emote, but the individual must always keep that stiff upper lip.

This shadowy, mournful, wistful film is definitely not for everyone. It's based on a play from the 50s, so if you love old school dramatic theatre you'll probably enjoy it. I know it's one that will definitely stay with me.