The Sea Change

This low-budget 1998 British film co-stars such recognizable actors as Maryam D’Abo (a Bond girl from The Living Daylights) and Ray Winstone (most recently seen in The Departed), though their names alone might not be enough to sell this standard romantic comedy. Arrogant financier Rupert (Sean Chapman) thinks an engagement to girlfriend Alison (D’Abo) is in the bag, but she demands he change his ways first … something he is able to do with the help of a slovenly stranger (Winstone) whom he gets stranded with while on a trip to Spain. Winstone is funny, as are some of the secondary characters, and the ending is inevitably happy, which makes this a good choice for those whose first selection is already sold out.

Shelf Talk: Despite premiering at Sundance in 1998 and being sold to major distributors, The Sea Change has not had a theatrical or home entertainment release until now. It’s a pleasant enough way to spend 90 minutes, but prominent placement and word of mouth are your only hope to prevent this one from slipping through the cracks.