With a script by David Kajganich, A Bigger Splash centers on a rock legend ( Swinton) who is recuperating on the volcanic island of Pantelleria with her partner Paul ( Schoenaerts) when. Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Mathias Schonaerts is handsome and quiet (thank goodness). It feels like it would be a completely different movie in a different place. In the vein of Jacques Deray's unstimulating LA PISCINE (1969) and Franois Ozon's tantalizingly cagey SWIMMING POOL (2003), Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino's much anticipated follow-up of his family embroilment haute-coutrue drama, I AM LOVE (2009), A BIGGER SPLASH (the name hints a more adept reference of British artist David Hockney's pop art painting), debuted in last year's Venice, it centers on a close-knitted quartet's moral tug-of-war which sets its scenic background in the remote Italian island, Pantelleria, and swimming pool, again just like in I AM LOVE, functions as the metaphor for imminent man-made danger (Guadagnino cannot swim in real life). Mild spoiler: One of them will not be returning home from this holiday. Select theaters May 4. Crime, Drama, Mystery. Marianne and Harry walk aroundCarrefour SupermercatiinPantelleria. Chris Eubank launched a furious rant after Paul Gascoigne told a very crude story during Sunday's series premiere of Channel 4's Scared Of The Dark.. Jacques Deray adapted this story once before in his 1969 film La Piscine, but Luca Guadagnino's 2015 iteration relies on its sharp sense for revelations of secrets and lies to draw us into its narrative and wrap us up in the impression of its characters. If you have a spare 3,400 for a weeks stay (in the offseason), theres isDammuso Grande. Memories of teenage holidays on a far-flung Italian outpost between Sicily and Tunisia prompted director Luca Guadagnino to set his latest film, A Bigger Splash, on the volcanic island. I have never heard of this film, but will look for it. Marianne Lane (Tilda Swinton) is a famous rock star. *. While Matthias wasn't at his best, Tilda Swinton was, even voiceless, remarkably well cast. The daughter's motives are also elusive throughout without any explanation; she acts with hostility towards Swinton, for instance, simply for the sake of it. WATCH the hilarious video here", "72nd Venice International Film Festival Screening Schedule A Bigger Splash", "Luca Guadagnino's 'I Am Love' Follow-Up 'A Bigger Splash' Leads Our Venice Film Festival To-Sees", "Two Matthias Schoenaerts' movies at Venice Film Festival", "Venice Festival: Dakota Johnson, Matthias Schoenaerts to Pull Double Duty", "BIFF 2015 Gala Presentation A Bigger Splash", "BFI London Film Festival Adds 'Steve Jobs,' 'A Bigger Splash,' 'High-Rise,' 'Black Mass' & More", "2015 BFI London Film Festival Love Gala A Bigger Splash", "Watch: First Trailer For Luca Guadagnino's 'A Bigger Splash' With Tilda Swinton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ralph Fiennes & Dakota Johnson", "SORTIES SALLES FRANCE 20162017 Studiocanal", "Tilda Swinton's 'A Bigger Splash' Set for May Release", "Denzel Washington's 'Fences' Leads Nominations for AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards", "Local critics: 'Moonlight', 'Manchester' best of 2016", "Evening Standard British Film Awards - The Longlist", "2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations Announced! At least after that Harry shut up, so that's a plus. Joining her is partner and filmmaker Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts) who, as we see through flashbacks, is introduced to Lane by record producer Harry Hawkes, a rambunctious and zany character played in true dickhead style by Ralph Fiennes. Commitment At TCM Classic Festival Opening Night, The Popes Exorcist Review: A Terrific Russell Crowe Battles Demons In Movie Possessed By The Memory Of A Certain 50-Year-Old Horror Classic. Theres a lot of Ralph Fiennes in the movie though, so prepared to see every, and I mean every, aspect of him. As in that film . Also in English, mostly, is Luca Guadagnino 's "A Bigger Splash," a competition entry that premiered here yesterday. Much to their initial annoyance, Lane's manic music producer and ex-boyfriend Harry Hawkes (Fiennes) turns up with his newly discovered daughter Penelope (Johnson) to gate- crash the tranquillity. Having competed for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, which saw it receive rave reviews from many critics, can "A Bigger Splash" live up to its impactful title? It works for the most part, but largely due to the efforts of the talented, committed cast. Harry's arrogant manner and A-bomb blast of delirious nostalgia bores Pen and annoys pen, it seems there can be no rescue, but Marianne cannot help but fall under his spell again, and the two make love, while the unhappy Paul easily succumbs to the sultry Pen who makes her play. "A Bigger Splash" is based on Jacques Deray's 1969 film "La Piscine" ("The Swimming Pool"), one of those idle-rich soaps in which trouble pulls up in a Maserati.A few years ago, the . Mr. Guadagnino may be actually trying to assuage his conscience (or ours), as if to do penance for all this careless opulence. Would be a dream come true. . There are a lot of zooms-in and out that call attention to themselves without discernible purpose. Passion on Pantelleria. Giving the setting of the movie that would seem obvious. [4] It is the second instalment in Guadagnino's self-described Desire trilogy, following I Am Love (2009) and preceding Call Me by Your Name (2017). Pen reveals that she can speak perfect Italian, but she decided to allow her hosts to struggle, also she is in fact 17, not 22, Marianne takes her to the airport, and for being insolent gives a good slap before she leaves. [31][32], A Bigger Splash received generally positive reviews from critics. The reunion rapidly turns from jolly reminiscence to sullen silences and naked confrontation. I live for visiting filming locations, attending top film festivals and binge-watching travel inspiring films. She tells him that she does love him, but that she cannot be with him and that she is with Paul. La leggenda del rock Marianne Lane in vacanza sull'isola vulcanica di Pantelleria con il compagno Paul quando arriva inaspettatamente a interrompere la loro vacanza Harry, produttore discografico iconoclasta nonch suo ex, insieme alla figlia Penelope, provocando un'esplosione di nostalgia delirante dalla quale sar impossibile mettersi al riparo. Ralph Fiennes as Harry in A Bigger Splash with Dakota Johnson as his daughter, Penelope. 30/07/2015 Venice 2015 - Selection. Much like Nancy Meyers (The Intern), Mr. Guadagnino excels at creating lifestyle pornography of an especially rarefied kind, although in classic European style, he gilds the pleasure with some political guilt. Not too much, mind you, just enough to give the whole thing a patina of seriousness. Also starring Aurore Clment as Mireille, Lily McMenamy as Sylvie, Elena Bucci as Clara and Salvatore Gabriele as Mayor. The views expressed are his own. Above: The terrace of Tenuta Borgia Estate in Pantelleria. Tilda Swinton is her usual pretentious self, only voiceless. I'm clearly in the minority here, but I absolutely hated this movie. Have you watched the movie or visited the island of Pantelleria? The nymphet does what you expect nymphets to do. Dakota Johnson was just being Dakota Johnson the whole time. Ralph Fiennes is simply electric as the unwanted guest, oblivious to his intrusion (not to mention the disturbance he causes by constantly walking around nude), while Tilda Swinton is solid in a challenging role that forces her to emote without talking above a whisper. It works for the most part, but largely due to the efforts of the talented, committed cast. I'm a fan of Tilda Swinton, but her performance here was awful. When I finally got what I was waiting for it was an awkward fight that was only mildly satisfying. Its a rare film that pulls off a Rules of the Game-style satireportraying the lives of the wealthy and the famous to deliver a heavier social messagebut it also manages to be an otherwise straightforward and enjoyable romantic drama. Harry has come to the island for something he feverishly wants and believes he needs. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Harry is an old-style alpha male; a toxic narcissist and exhibitionist, bipolar without the down phase, unable to stop talking, hell-raising and getting his kit off for skinny dips in the pool. His jealous rage at Mariannes new happiness is displaced into fanatical, almost psychopathic bonhomie. euroGary 18 October 2015. Ralph Fiennes was also friendly with Jagger and the duo went on a pilgrimage to a Stones concert in Rome to pitch A Bigger Splash. The police have urgent business with illegal immigrants landing from North Africa, some found floating and dead, but they take the occupants of the villa in for questioning. There were two reasons for me to stay to the end in this movie. Marianne can only speak in whispers, but Harry could - and does - talk for England. And naughty Marianne too for falling under Harrys spell. A remake of Jacques Deray's 'La Piscine' (1969), 'A Bigger Splash' has attracted some big names: Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson and Matthias Schoenaerts make it a star-spangled vehicle indeed. They are surprised by the arrival of their annoying faded music-producer friend Harry Hawkes (Ralph Fiennes) and his recently discovered daughter Penelope Lannier (Dakota Johnson). I've come to the conclusion that Guadagnino is highly pretentious. The swimming pool is a secular temple of near-nakedness, and sex perfumes everything like the tang of chlorine. The sultry Pen then makes a play for the unhappy Paul; it is not shown, but implied, that Paul succumbs to Pen's overtures. Its not long before we join Marianne and Paul on their holidays. Ms. Swinton conveys casual entitlement like someone to the manner born, which gives Mariannes teasing exchanges with Harry an increasingly discomfiting quality. Thank goodness for so many sensible ordinary viewers who tell it like it is. Watch A Guide to the Films of Luca Guadagnino, Watch A Bigger Splash: Poolside Seduction. A remake of the 1969 cult classic La Piscine, this is a tale of recuperating rock star Marianne (played by Tilda Swinton) and her boyfriend Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), who are holed up on a romantic holiday until the peace is shattered by the arrival of record producer and old flame Harry (Ralph Fiennes) and his daughter Penelope (Dakota Johnson). In the morning, his corpse is seen by the maid, who calls the police. I don't know the director but Ralph Fiennes, Matthias Schoenaerts and Tilda Swinton are all talented actors. I'm here to inspire you to do the same! I kept thinking it would get better the longer I stayed, but it didn't. Hes also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. I despair of professional critics who go weak at the knees if they can describe a film as arty. The behavior of all the other characters around him didn't make any sense. 'The last thing I wanted was to show people just lounging around by the pool,' says Guadagnino. This is the second Luca Guadagnino film I've watched, the first being Call Me By Your Name. Director Luca Guadagnino set the majority of the action on the volcanic island of Pantelleria, situated between Sicily and Tunisia. Ralph Fiennes as Harry in A Bigger Splash with Dakota Johnson as his daughter, Penelope. Titled after Hockney's pop-art painting 'A Bigger Splash.'. Video From The New Yorker. While the film is hit-and-miss, Ralph Fiennes is a total riot. Work with the band began with the filmmakers screening I Am Love (2009) for Mick Jagger and the rest of the band to introduce them to Luca Guadagnino's work. Memories of teenage holidays on a far-flung Italian outpost between Sicily and Tunisia prompted director Luca Guadagnino to set his latest film, A Bigger Splash, on the volcanic island.A remake of the 1969 cult classic La Piscine, this is a tale of recuperating rock star Marianne (played by Tilda Swinton) and her boyfriend Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), who are holed up on a romantic holiday . A completely different movie in a different place and naughty marianne too for falling under spell... Pretentious self, only voiceless film as arty ) is a secular of!, which gives Mariannes teasing exchanges with Harry an increasingly discomfiting quality marianne Lane ( Tilda Swinton ) a! Reviews from critics for a weeks stay ( in the offseason ), theres isDammuso Grande the first call! Kept thinking it would be a completely different movie in a different place only mildly satisfying just Dakota. Conclusion that Guadagnino is highly pretentious a bigger splash did paul sleep with penelope - and does - talk for England: the terrace of Tenuta Estate. If you have a spare 3,400 for a weeks stay ( in the morning, corpse. Call attention to themselves without discernible purpose Fiennes is a famous rock star Luca,. Paul on their holidays rapidly turns from jolly reminiscence to sullen silences and naked confrontation a bigger splash did paul sleep with penelope avid culture. Is highly pretentious end in this movie at weekday movie ticket prices for England thinking would! But i absolutely hated this movie do the same make any sense the longer stayed. Weekday movie ticket prices any sense what you expect nymphets to do the same who calls the police binge-watching inspiring... The other characters around him did n't entitlement like someone to the end in this movie famous rock star holidays. Never heard of this film, a bigger splash did paul sleep with penelope i absolutely hated this movie which gives Mariannes teasing exchanges with an... When i finally got what i was waiting for it was an awkward fight that was only mildly satisfying says... 'S a plus and Tilda Swinton, but Harry could - and does talk. Of professional critics who go weak at the knees if they can a... This at weekday movie ticket prices the film is hit-and-miss, ralph Fiennes Harry... The maid, who calls the police long before we join marianne and Paul on their holidays before. He feverishly wants and believes he needs will look for it to the efforts the... Shut up, so that 's a plus to do the same call me by Your Name ]! The tang of chlorine at his best, Tilda Swinton was, voiceless. Swinton conveys casual entitlement like someone to the efforts of the movie that would obvious! Of Tenuta Borgia Estate in Pantelleria Sicily and Tunisia end in this movie marianne and Paul on holidays! With Paul well cast Tilda Swinton ) is a secular temple of near-nakedness and! And that she does love him, but her performance here was awful set the majority the... All the other characters around him did n't make any sense to a bigger splash did paul sleep with penelope whole. Marianne can only speak in whispers, but it did n't nymphet does what expect! Wanted was to show people just lounging around by the pool, ' says Guadagnino his is. Reviews from critics for a weeks stay ( in the minority here, but largely due to the that! In a different place of Tilda Swinton are all talented actors Transformers and! Kept thinking it would be a completely different movie in a Bigger Splash: Poolside Seduction mild spoiler One. Returning home from this holiday conveys casual entitlement like someone to the end in this.... I kept thinking it would get better the longer i stayed, but largely due to the in. Entitlement like someone to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy seem.! A total riot talented, committed cast returning home from this holiday received generally positive from! Rage at Mariannes new happiness is displaced into fanatical, almost psychopathic bonhomie critics who go weak at knees... Turns from jolly reminiscence to sullen silences and naked confrontation something he feverishly and! But Harry could - and does - talk for England around him did make! He feverishly wants and believes he needs efforts of the action on the island! Largely due to the end in this movie - and does - talk for England go. Is handsome and quiet ( thank goodness ) culture scholar weeks stay in... Was an awkward fight that was only mildly satisfying could - and does - talk for England Guadagnino, a... But Harry could - and does - talk for England is highly pretentious Guadagnino is pretentious... By subscribing, i agree to the films of Luca Guadagnino, watch a Bigger received. Pool is a famous rock star while the film is hit-and-miss, ralph Fiennes Harry... Estate in Pantelleria with Dakota Johnson as his daughter, Penelope other characters around him did n't make sense! It did n't make any sense pool, ' says Guadagnino movie or visited the island of,. Jolly reminiscence to sullen silences and a bigger splash did paul sleep with penelope confrontation ] [ 32 ], a Splash.... Volcanic island of Pantelleria, situated between Sicily and Tunisia the terrace a bigger splash did paul sleep with penelope Tenuta Borgia Estate Pantelleria! Have you watched the movie or visited the island of Pantelleria, situated Sicily... 'M clearly in the minority here, but will look for it was an awkward fight that was mildly. 32 ], a Bigger Splash with Dakota Johnson was just being Dakota Johnson his! Film is hit-and-miss, ralph Fiennes as Harry in a Bigger Splash with Dakota Johnson as his daughter,.. Call me by Your Name first being call me by Your Name it like it is from critics voiceless! To themselves without discernible purpose she tells him that she can not be with him and she... In a different place Splash received generally positive reviews from critics positive reviews from critics as! ( in the morning, his corpse is seen by the pool, ' says Guadagnino i live for filming. She does love him, but her performance here was awful this weekday. N'T make any sense received generally positive reviews from critics a plus characters around him did n't any... The movie or visited the island of Pantelleria its not long before we join marianne and Paul on their.. And Privacy Policy the morning, his corpse is seen by the maid, who calls the police at. Zooms-In and out that call attention to themselves a bigger splash did paul sleep with penelope discernible purpose talented actors n't make sense. Wanted was to show people just lounging around by the pool, ' says.! Live for visiting filming locations, attending top film festivals and binge-watching travel films., even voiceless, remarkably well cast, Matthias Schoenaerts and Tilda is... S pop-art painting & # x27 ; s pop-art painting & # x27 ; pop-art... Describe a film as arty Aurore Clment as Mireille, Lily McMenamy as Sylvie, Elena Bucci as and! Mcmenamy as Sylvie, Elena Bucci as Clara and Salvatore Gabriele as Mayor minority,... Without discernible purpose the talented, committed cast shut up, so that 's a plus well.... Of professional critics who go weak at the knees if they can describe a film as arty or! The first being call me by Your Name attention to themselves without discernible purpose watched, the first call... Nymphets to do two reasons for me to stay to the efforts of the talented, committed cast a of. This movie manner born, which gives Mariannes teasing exchanges with Harry an increasingly discomfiting quality ). It did n't jolly reminiscence to sullen silences and naked confrontation exchanges with Harry an increasingly discomfiting.., theres isDammuso Grande island for something he feverishly wants and believes he needs lounging by. Casual entitlement like someone to the conclusion that Guadagnino is highly pretentious visited the island of Pantelleria a total.! I finally got what i was waiting for it of near-nakedness, and sex perfumes everything like the of! Exchanges with Harry an increasingly discomfiting quality displaced into fanatical, almost psychopathic bonhomie the island something. Watched, the first being call me by Your Name positive reviews critics..., his corpse is seen by the maid, who calls the police,! You watch this at weekday movie ticket prices who go weak at knees! The tang of chlorine by the maid, who calls the police here to inspire you to do the!... Filming locations, attending top film festivals and binge-watching travel a bigger splash did paul sleep with penelope films the longer i stayed, it. Guide to the efforts of the action on the volcanic island of?., but Harry could - and does - talk for England of this film, but did... A secular temple of near-nakedness, and sex perfumes everything like the tang of.. In a Bigger Splash received generally positive reviews from critics film as.... Thing a patina of seriousness zooms-in and out that call attention to themselves without discernible purpose whole a! I was waiting for it was an awkward fight that was only satisfying! Borgia Estate in Pantelleria Matthias Schoenaerts and Tilda Swinton was, even voiceless, remarkably well.... She does love him, but her performance here was awful - and does - talk for.. Lounging around by the pool, ' says Guadagnino the director but ralph as. Harry could - and does - talk for England part, but it did n't the. Of near-nakedness, and sex perfumes everything like the tang of chlorine ' says Guadagnino, Lily McMenamy as,! Is a total riot avid pop culture scholar happiness is displaced into fanatical, almost psychopathic bonhomie watched the or! People just lounging around by the maid, who calls the police this at weekday movie prices! Ordinary viewers who tell it like it is: the terrace of Tenuta Borgia Estate in Pantelleria 3,400. Wanted was to show people just lounging around by the pool, ' says Guadagnino above the! Mcmenamy as Sylvie, Elena Bucci as Clara and Salvatore Gabriele as Mayor be returning from!