Luc Besson's film about the dangers of obsession and rivalry. A lifelong rivalry between two deep sea divers (who dive without aqualungs) culminates in a series of free-diving competitions. Jacques Mayol (Jean-Marc Barr) can reach unprecedented depths without breathing apparatus, while Enzo (Jean Reno) is driven to dive by obsession. Rosanna Arquette falls for Jacques when she sees him diving in Peru, where she is working. But she is unable to get in contact with him and when he returns to Italy she hatches a plot to get work to transfer her there so that she can be close to him.