The Headington Shark, a fiberglass sculpture that appeared in 1986, has become an iconic symbol of protest and art's unexpected meanings. This article explores the film 'Learning to Breathe Under Water', which uses the shark as a metaphor for a bereaved father and son's journey. The film, directed by Rebekah Fortune and starring Rory Kinnear, Maria Bakalova, and Ezra Carlisle, delves into the complexities of grief and the search for closure. The narrative, however, struggles to maintain its momentum, with a mix of amusing lines and whimsical elements, but ultimately descends into mawkishness. The film's production design, overseen by May Davies, is a standout feature, using color and set dressing to illustrate the characters' emotional states. The article concludes by highlighting the film's strengths and weaknesses, as well as the potential for further exploration of the shark's symbolism in future works.
