under the sand ( 2000 ) the plot be simple and almost too simple and and because very little happens and it depend on mood and deeply serious think about death to survive . and on charlotte rampling to have the nuance and range to pull it off . and it work and overall and because of just those two thing represent heavy subject and rampling . there be issue ( and trick and cinematically ) with ghost and memory and but these play small against the big strain of the lead woman deal with this sudden trauma in her life . even though the main event in the movie happen at the start and i do not dare mention it because it surprise be important ( i do not know it be come and and like the way it be handle very much ) . director francois ozon never seem to quite nail down the pace and editing of his film and at least for american sensibility . even the sensationally complex swim pool doesn not quite use it material to propel u in every scene . but let turn that on it head and say that ozon us emptiness and gap in the action to give his movie breathe room and or maybe and in some old fashion sense and the make them serious . when nothing be happen you can only start to think and dwell on the event and along with the character . in under the sand there be nothing else to do and yet it exactly what rampling in her role have to do represent think and dwell . it slow at time and yes and but only if you do not let yourself relax and get absorb . and and like the character and confuse what be real from what be chimera and and what she need with what she once have and and even one man from another . even her fluid bi lingual ability add to the duality . by the time you get to the final scene you be leave wonder what true love really be and and whether it worth it . because maybe it be . she have something most people do not and and it seem like a sickness and a gift at once .