Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
Two small children and a ship's cook survive a shipwreck and find safety on an idyllic tropical island. Soon, however, the cook dies and the young boy and girl are left on their own. Days become years and Emmeline and Richard make a home for themselves surrounded by exotic creatures and nature's beauty. But will they ever see civilization again?
The Blue Lagoon is a visually lush film whose greatest asset is its stunning location photography on Nanuya Levu Island, capturing the tropical paradise with genuine beauty and earning it high marks for cinematography. However, the plot is thin and meandering, relying heavily on the novelty of its setting rather than dramatic substance. The acting from the young leads is limited, with Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins delivering performances that are more decorative than emotionally engaging. The premise of children maturing in isolation has been explored before, and this adaptation doesn't bring a particularly distinctive or fresh voice to the material. The ending is ambiguous and somewhat unsatisfying, leaving audiences without clear resolution. The film's reputation rests largely on its visual appeal and controversial content rather than its storytelling craft.