The Big Blue is a film by Luc Besson released in 1988. Drawing inspiration from the real lives of Jacques Mayol and Enzo Maiorca, Luc Besson portrays the journey of two rival free divers.
SYNOPSIS
It tells the story of two divers: Jacques Mayol, a Frenchman, and Enzo Molinari, his Italian rival. After each living their lives and being apart for nearly 20 years, they eventually reunite at the Taormina Championship.
Very quickly, their competitive spirit bonds them. They achieve great feats, break records, save dolphins… It quickly becomes clear that life under the water holds something meaningful, symbolic, and irreplaceable for each of them. It is then difficult to lead a normal life on land. However, love comes into play as Jacques quickly falls for Johana, a woman he met in Peru.
Constantly vying for the title of world diving champion, they play dangerously with death, yet nothing makes them feel more alive.
A few words about the cast of the film “The Big Blue”, quite notable. We find Jean Reno and Jean-Marc Barr in the roles of Enzo Molinari and Jacques Mayol. Among the main actors, it is also worth mentioning Rosanna Arquette, who plays Johana Baker.
Luc Besson himself appears in the role of another competitor diver in the film, in a cameo.
THE FIAT 500
Now, let’s talk about the car! It hardly needs an introduction. This car may be one of the most famous and widespread in the world, the Fiat 500!
The very first generation of the Fiat 500 was nicknamed Topolino (little mouse), always associated with Mickey. This car is said to have been commissioned by the Italian dictator Mussolini. In the 1930s, he allegedly tasked Giovanni Agnelli with creating this car. The goal was to offer a very economical and affordable car to motorize the Italian people as quickly as possible.
The second generation arrived in 1957 on European roads. It was invented by Dante Giacosa and called the “Fiat Nuova 500”. He created the smallest car in the world, drawing on the experience gained from designing the Topolino.
The features of this car indeed appeal to most drivers who wanted to quickly acquire a vehicle at that time. A small two-door sedan that maneuvers easily, it has a front trunk and a sunroof.
Its compact profile allows for excellent handling and light weight. Its two-cylinder petrol engine is powerful enough to reach 95 km/h.
As this car continued to gain popularity, it was reproduced many times afterward. The third-generation Fiat 500 is still being built today at 190,000 units!
THE FIAT 500 IN THE BIG BLUE: A CAR THAT STANDS OUT
ENZO’S OLD FIAT
Those who have seen the film can only remember this old car with a battered and worn body. In the film, it looks so small! Well, that’s because it is! The model in the movie is much smaller than what one could drive today.
The size difference between Jean Reno, 1.88 m, and the height of the Fiat also creates the illusion of a tiny vehicle being driven by a giant. The Fiat stands at only 1.32 m high. Whenever someone gets in or out, you wonder how it is physically possible.
The Fiat 500 from The Big Blue is equipped with a fabric sunroof and seems to literally fall apart.
It is the Fiat Nuova 500 model we mentioned earlier. This car was sold between 1936 and 1955. Charming, this Fiat 500? So much so that the character, having earned some money, does not replace it but simply has it repainted red.
The Fiat 500 obviously fits perfectly in the film. This small Italian car of worldwide fame blends well with the movie’s setting. Its old-timer look gives it undeniably a quirky charm, and you can’t help but grow fond of this little car. It is hard not to smile when seeing it.
A true red heart-stealer against the backdrop of the Big Blue!
It also reinforces the idea that the Fiat 500 is a small almost indestructible car, much tougher than it appears, as it continues to run well even in this condition.
THE FILM’S SUCCESS
At the 1988 Cannes Film Festival, the film initially received fairly critical reviews. It must be said that the film runs for 132 minutes. Some found it a bit slow in terms of plot. Yet, it received several César nominations.
It was released internationally under the title “The Big Blue”, but it took some time to gain traction. For the record, at the same time as its release, Luc Besson went through a very difficult period in his life as his daughter Juliette had to undergo surgery for a serious health problem. The director later stated, “when Juliette got better, the film started to succeed.”
In the end, the film won the Césars for Best Music and Best Sound. It was a hit in France but did not fully meet its goals elsewhere in the world. It recorded more than 9 million admissions in France, out of over 11 million worldwide.
Considered the highest-grossing French film of 1988, it is among the biggest commercial successes of the 1980s in France. Today, it can even be said to have achieved one of the largest successes in the history of French cinema.
Given this success, it is clear that this film greatly contributed to giving the Fiat 500 additional popularity with the general public.
TAKE A CLASSIC FIAT 500 GETAWAY TO RELIVE THE BIG BLUE
We promise, the Fiat 500 you will drive will look much better than in the Big Blue! This small car, with its “pot de yaourt” appearance, has won many hearts.
With seating for 4, a 4-speed manual transmission paired with its rear-wheel drive engine, it is comfortable to drive. Our Fiat 500 was manufactured in 1972 and fully restored to take you anywhere on the roads of Provence!
You benefit from comprehensive insurance. This small city car can be the ideal compromise for a short drive in a classic car near Aix-en-Provence.
Put yourself in the shoes of Jacques and Enzo in The Big Blue and rediscover the pleasure of this little car. More comfortable than it appears from the outside, incredibly addictive for its cute and retro side, but especially for its extreme maneuverability.
