A true unsolved crime of two immigrant women murdered in New Hampshire in 1873 is paralleled with a present-day (fictional) investigation of that event by a photojournalist (Catherine McCormack). As she delves into the details of the case, and closes in on a solution to the killings, portents of violence and sexual jealousy start to swirl around her, her novelist husband (Sean Penn), his brother (Josh Lucas) and the brother's seductive girlfriend (Elizabeth Hurley).
Portentous and pretentious, "The Weight of Water" is appropriately titled, given the heavy-handedness of it drama. Penn, whose character is supposedly troubled and distraught, looks bored with it all, and Sarah Polley, in a game try as a hard-working immigrant woman, still can't surmount her clunky dialogue and the film's farfetched scenario. Audiences will be hard-pressed to wade through this murky tale. Starring Sean Penn, Sarah Polley and Elizabeth Hurley. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Written by Alice Arlen and Chris Kyle. Produced by Janet Yang, Joni Sighvatsson and A. Kitman Ho. A Lions Gate release. Drama. Not yet rated. Running time: 110 min
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