Shores: heavy heart, head underwater (review)

Full of ambitions and references, this pretty fable in the abysses of the English Channel ends up sinking from wanting to surf all the waves.

An unexplained phenomenon is causing turmoil in the small port town of Fécamp, in Seine-Maritime. A fishing boat suddenly sank, dragging its 14 sailors to the bottom. The bereaved families seek to understand and Abigail, a young oceanographer from the area, returns to the maritime city to try to solve the mystery. Where does this soft violet light come from which burst from the depths of the abyss at the time of the tragedy? Why did the density of the water change at this specific location? How to calm the anger of shocked sailors? Abigail's mission, which includes finding her ex-husband, is not going to be easy…

There are a lot of ambitions behind Shoresa seductive fantasy fable with strong ecological accents. David Hourrèguedirector emeritus of the recent Germinaltakes to the sea head on and carefully films the cliffs of Fécamp which flow into the English Channel, the intoxicating light which sparkles on the water, the life of local fishermen attached to their territory. It also makes the most of the big suspense that keeps the script afloat. Shores : what fascinating secret hides these depths? There lies the salt of the series. Nowhere else.

Because beyond this nautical curiosity which piques us, the drama which plays out on land is much more difficult to embrace. Sinking under the weight of exhausting dialogue and sticky dramaturgy, the series floundered when it told the story of the people left at the port. Shores would like to both tell a painful family tragedy, the madness of overfishing in the market economy, the consequences of wind turbine projects, the defense of the world's seas and mix it all with a good dose of poetry Miyazakian to drown the fish. Too many waves to surf for a France 2 saga in 6 episodes, which ends up sinking despite the commendable investment of its gondola heads (Fleur Geffrier And Jean-Marc Barr in mind).

Stranded on the pitfall of a boat caricature, the maritime tale hits rock bottom when it brings on the scene the French army, the incarnation of a faceless villain ready to sacrifice the sea for its own interests. A Channel effect which ends up giving Shores a terribly artificial color. Too bad, the revelation of the underwater mystery, which would surely please James Cameronwas successful. You can already see it online on the France.tv platform (all 6 episodes are available).

Rivages, in 6 episodes, to be seen on France 2 from January 6, 2025 and already on France.tv