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7

TVJerryMay 30, 2016

Tilda Swinton plays a rock star who's relaxing with her boyfriend (Matthias Schoenaerts) on a remote Italian island, while recovering from throat surgery. Their erotic retreat is upended when one of her exes (Ralph Fiennes) shows up with hisTilda Swinton plays a rock star who's relaxing with her boyfriend (Matthias Schoenaerts) on a remote Italian island, while recovering from throat surgery. Their erotic retreat is upended when one of her exes (Ralph Fiennes) shows up with his daughter (Dakota Johnson). There's not a straight-ahead plot here, only a group of people enjoying the getaway…at first, at least. An undercurrent of attraction and jealousy adds to the tension that develops. As always, Swinton is thoroughly compelling (even though she barely speaks) and Fiennes shows a crazy energy that's both stimulating and creepy. This is unmistakably a foreign film: the interaction of the characters holds an enigmatic depth that's explored thru subtle, unhurried direction by Luca Guadagnino ("I Am Love," also starring Swinton). There's also quite a bit of casual nudity. Enjoyable, enthralling yet uncomfortable.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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4

SpangleJan 20, 2017

Vapid, soulless, and inconsequential, Luca Guadagnino is simply a dull film that has very literally purpose. It is a film that allegedly has some themes regarding immigration into Europe, but is mostly a drama about four rich people who allVapid, soulless, and inconsequential, Luca Guadagnino is simply a dull film that has very literally purpose. It is a film that allegedly has some themes regarding immigration into Europe, but is mostly a drama about four rich people who all are attracted to one another. European to its very core, this slow paced drama film is erotic, dialogue heavy, and impeccably acted. While hardly engaging and largely just throwaway entertainment masquerading as something more (my biggest problem with this film), A Bigger Splash does feature tremendous performances from Ralph Fiennes and Tilda Swinton that exceed expectations. If nothing else, it cements that the world has been deprived of the David Bowie biopic starring Tilda Swinton for far too long.

A Bigger Splash is the kind of film that is not exactly pretentious, but it certainly feels that it is deep and important. It exudes a certain air of superiority towards its audience as Guadagnino shows off the lush country side of Italy and Ralph Fiennes' member. Nothing that happens - when stuff happens - is overly complicated. It is just jealousy, lust, and murder, aka the big three of film. Nothing makes this unique, just the two hours runtime it takes for A Bigger Splash to actually say nothing on any of the topics. At many points in the film, it is as if the cast decided to get together and vacation, while Guadagnino tagged along. I have no problem with films with limited plots, but it also has no characters. They are written paper thin and are hardly worth diving into further. These four characters - mostly Schoenaerts' and Johnson's - are not really even given the time of day to really communicate who they are in this film. Fiennes' Harry is loud, boisterous, and obnoxious. Swinton's Marianne is a rock star who has a problem with her voice, so she cannot speak. The other two are kind of there, but mostly silent. Harry does most of the talking and Fiennes knocks the role out of the park. He is phenomenal, but it is a shame that his character is so useless and uninteresting without him.

A Bigger Splash just simply never excited me. It just floated by and hinted at some commentary on the immigrants and the distrust they receive, but it is exclusively done through the dialogue and spelled out for you. There is one moment where Dakota Johnson covers herself up in front of some immigrants, but it could just be attributed to the men being strangers. This really drives at how underdeveloped much of the film is. The themes, the drama, and the characters, are all incredibly raw and undercooked from beginning to end. As such, they fail to engage and just leave the audience wondering if there is more to all of this. It is the kind of film that leaves the audience sitting and wondering, "So what?"

Typically, I love these plotless character-driven films, but there must be characters worthwhile enough to make up for the lack of a driving plot. A Bigger Splash lacks this and, as such, ranks as a dull disappointment for myself. Though Fiennes is brilliant and Swinton is oddly great in a largely mute turn, the film simply does not do enough to justify its own existence, even if the swimming was fun and locales entirely gorgeous.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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5

moviemitch96May 27, 2016

Honestly this has got to be one of the most pointless and aimless films I've seen in a while. It literally felt like there was hardly even a story, as our four main characters simply, talk, get naked, swim, rinse and repeat. Not even a castHonestly this has got to be one of the most pointless and aimless films I've seen in a while. It literally felt like there was hardly even a story, as our four main characters simply, talk, get naked, swim, rinse and repeat. Not even a cast this talented could save the film, and even they all looked bored throughout the entire film. Hell, Tilda Swinton had less dialogue than everyone else, yet she was able to give the best and most honest performance out of everyone! How is that even possible!? Indeed, Ralph Fiennes and Matthias Schoenaerts's presence kept things somewhat interesting, but even their performances felt really underwhelming. Don't even get me started on Dakota Johnson, who I've never liked as an actress and once again was just there to act sexy, which is just about all she's good for. And finally, the film was supposedly two hours but towards the end began to drag on and on so bad that it felt more like two and a half hours. Overall, despite the promising and talented cast (minus Dakota Johnson), not even they could save this drag of a film. In other words, to put it bluntly this was simply just a boring, pointless, overrated, and forgettable film,… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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9

foxgroveMay 4, 2016

‘A Bigger Splash’ is a hypnotically stunning achievement. Stylistically and directorially very much in the same vein as Director Luca Guadagnino’s earlier and equally impressive ‘I am Love’. This new film also stars a gorgeously costumed‘A Bigger Splash’ is a hypnotically stunning achievement. Stylistically and directorially very much in the same vein as Director Luca Guadagnino’s earlier and equally impressive ‘I am Love’. This new film also stars a gorgeously costumed Tilda Swinton as rock star Marianne Lane, currently on a getaway with boyfriend Paul (Matthias Schoenaarts) following a throat operation. Their idyll on a Sicilian island is shattered by the arrival of an old flame Harry (Ralph Fiennes) and his daughter Penelope (Dakota Johnson). Based on the 1969 film ‘Swimming Pool’, this is a film about writing, acting and style. There are no dramatic action set pieces. It’s just four people taking life easy in gorgeous surroundings and becoming ever more intertwined by the complications of their own lives and personas. Psychological and sexual tensions abound and looks and gestures keep you totally entranced as to where the boundaries end and when the breaking points will come. The playing of the cast is superb, especially Fiennes and Swinton. Despite the limiting device of having her character unable to speak for much of the film, Swinton nevertheless effortlessly conveys the required emotions through her facial expressions. Schoenaerts, and especially a flirtatiously seductive Johnson add volumes to the atmosphere and audience investment. They not only provide the eye candy but give the story its palpable sexual charge. Best of all though is Fiennes. Walking an acting tightrope as Harry, he nevertheless gives a carefully modulated performance which at first has one fearful that his character will be played way over the top. This initial reaction is very quickly quelled however, and with many very difficult scenes focused solely on him, Fiennes brings this brash and obnoxious character breathtakingly to life. It has to be amongst his finest work. The film itself is definitely worth seeking out. It deserves your time and money more than something like ‘Triple 9’ or ‘Batman vs Superman’ ever could.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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5

netflicJun 6, 2016

Starring Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes.
A convoluted love story, a thriller without a thrill.
Very nice scenery (an island in Italy), decent performance, great casting. It would benefit the movie if it were cut in half, especially theStarring Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes.
A convoluted love story, a thriller without a thrill.
Very nice scenery (an island in Italy), decent performance, great casting. It would benefit the movie if it were cut in half, especially the first half. The movie is very short on substance and even purpose. I felt bored most of the time. In one word, disappointing (especially considering the cast).… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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3

Brent_MarchantMay 14, 2016

Despite fine performances by Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes, this high-end, melodramatic alleged art piece meanders from start to finish, with numerous sequences that feel like they're about to go somewhere but ultimately don't. ItsDespite fine performances by Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes, this high-end, melodramatic alleged art piece meanders from start to finish, with numerous sequences that feel like they're about to go somewhere but ultimately don't. Its pointless narrative feels unfocused and incomplete, punctuated by equally incongruent cinematography, tedious pacing, often-amateurish editing and a soundtrack that pushes the limits of eclecticism. The net effect is a film that tries to pass itself off as something it isn't -- worth watching.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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10

GinaKMay 16, 2016

I loved this film. True, I am a fan of Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes, but I was skeptical that Swinton could pull off playing a rock star convincingly and that Fiennes could be frenetic – and dance. Swinton was totally convincing andI loved this film. True, I am a fan of Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes, but I was skeptical that Swinton could pull off playing a rock star convincingly and that Fiennes could be frenetic – and dance. Swinton was totally convincing and Fiennes was amazing – he seemed drugged out of his mind through most of the film, but I doubt if you can play someone like that unless you are stone cold sober. The entire cast was excellent, script was great, location was wonderful, and the director did a terrific job of both directing and staying out of the way. I had a great time and look forward to seeing this film again when the Blu Ray becomes available. It’s great fun.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

bobmeierMay 28, 2016

I really loved A bigger splash. In terms of plot, there's just a little going on here-A rock star and her lover are taking a rest in rural Italy. Her former lover/ex-manager shows up (mostly uninvited) and tries to rekindle their romance.I really loved A bigger splash. In terms of plot, there's just a little going on here-A rock star and her lover are taking a rest in rural Italy. Her former lover/ex-manager shows up (mostly uninvited) and tries to rekindle their romance. The rest of this film's beauty lies in the way it is done. A fantastic montage of images and sounds that shows hedonistic pleasures of delicious food, sex, drugs that these "idle rich" people use to fill the time. A bigger splash has a fantastic energy in a calm way that is a joy to watch. The music in the film was unpredictable-here's probably the only time the Stones "Emotional Rescue" will be used in a film.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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6

DirigiblePulpMay 21, 2017

Rich beautiful people in the most beautiful location imaginable, authentic outdoor restaurants that exist on mountainsides where only locals and people in movies can find them, and spontaneous karaoke parties break out at dive bars whereRich beautiful people in the most beautiful location imaginable, authentic outdoor restaurants that exist on mountainsides where only locals and people in movies can find them, and spontaneous karaoke parties break out at dive bars where everyone becomes so enamored they can't help but shrug off their desperate lower class ennui and join in. Everyone just has the most major issues and they kind of work through them and sleep with everyone else and it's not all fine in the end.

I can't lie and say it's not fun to live vicariously in this existence but it's too bad it doesn't linger much in the mind; like most superficial things once it's gone so is everything that seemed special about it. Though Ralph Fiennes dancing to "Emotional Rescue" is a highlight that lasts.… Expand