Dive (2010)

Dive was a 2 part drama shown on BBC2, a love story between teenagers Lindsey and Robert. It felt different to the usual television dramas - it wasn't based on a historical event or figure (like The Devil's Whore or Mo), or about an 'issue' (such as care homes in The Unloved), and there were no murders (most other one off dramas) - it was simply a love story, albeit one where the female lead gets pregnant. There was little flapping of hands or moralising about the teen pregnancy though, it just happened and the characters dealt with it. 

How unusual to find a love story told in this way. Aisling Loftus and Jack O'Connell played the young leads, and both were touching and believable. I've not seen Loftus before, but I hope to again, she brought real warmth and honest teenage responses to Lindsey, and the diving scenes were terrific! I've since learned that a double may have been doing the dives - Lindsey is in training for 2012 Olympics when she meets Robert and gets pregnant, and ends up choosing her sport over a future spent babysitting - but I couldn't tell, and was very impressed with them all! The direction was great overall, though the filming of each dive was exquisite. 

O'Connell played the decidely irritating Cook in Skins' 3rd and 4th series. I really did not care for Cook and much of series 3 of Skins, and I've made a conscious decision not to bother with series 4, currently repeating on Channel 4. I'll give the new intake a go come series 5 though. In Dive there were shades of Cook to the character of Robert, but as his relationship with Lindsey matured he showed off an emotional, caring side. Unfortunately to serve the story he got a bit more obnoxious towards the end, still it means I won't write off O'Connell just yet.

The young leads were ably served with a wider cast that included ever-dependable Eddie Marsan as Robert's Dad and the wonderful Gina McKee as Lindsey's Mum, both rounded characters rather than mere parental ciphers. I liked Dive. Some bits, such as the repetitive musical themes grated after a while, though on the whole it was a refreshingly simple, honest piece.