A Bigger Splash (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'A Bigger Splash' (loosely adapted from a 1969 French film) is a sensuous exploration of romantic longing, sexual desires, seduction, jealousy, rock-&-roll, & tragedy set in an idyllic, sun-drenched Mediterranean paradise. Director Luca Guadagnino made us want to devour every shot we see onscreen in I Am Love (also starring Tilda Swinton), and he overloads the senses for us once again; whether it's through the strains of a classic rock song, the glistening blue sea, the redness of a tomato, the forbidden terrains, or his breathtaking cast. And Guadagnino suggests trouble in paradise when snakes attempt to slither into the main setting's Garden of Eden.
The story is set on the volcanic Sicilian isle of Pantelleria where rock legend Marianne Lane (Swinton) has gone to recuperate after vocal chord surgery. Flashbacks show us her David Bowie-esque persona as well as some of her personal demons, but now in Italy, she's content to hide away with Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), a photographer/filmmaker who is there to love & take care of her. But their isolated bliss (naked sun-bathing, sex in the pool) is disrupted by the arrival of uncouth Harry (Ralph Feinnes), Marianne's old record producer/ex-flame), & his apparent daughter, 22 yr. old Penelope (Dakota Johnson), who he's only recently met. At first, they tenuously enjoy the isle together: reminiscing, drinking, swimming, going to festivals, etc.. But things start to go awry when Harry, who was responsible for Marianne & Paul getting together 6 yrs. ago, stirs up buried emotions {both good & bad} & puts all their inter-connected relationships to the test.
There are so many complicated romantic entanglements & ulterior motives among these 4 individuals that paying attention to their dialogue {or lack thereof} is crucial -- tension btwn. them is delicious. Harry is there to stir up trouble with his bombastic demeanor, nostalgic stories, & knack of prancing around in the nude; but what's his end game? Who is he there to disrupt and/or woo? He shares a unique rock-&-roll past with Marianne, so seeing her in comfy domestication is somewhat offensive. Paul, who has his own past troubles, has settled into the role of Marianne's lover & caretaker. But this unexpected/unwanted visit from Harry & Penelope has him reeling inside {for several reasons}. And then there's Penelope, whose sexual motivations remain a baffling mystery to all of them.
Each character is coming from a different place, emotionally. Swinton's Marianne 'seems' to want a quieter life with Paul, but Harry's presence {alluring recollections of their hedonistic lifestyle} mucks things up. Though Marianne cannot speak much, Swinton uses her face & body language to convey what her voice does not. While not conventionally beautiful, Swinton rivets by using her mercurial charisma & entire body tell us exactly who she is. Fiennes is just as charismatic, though more extrovertedly. In one scene, his Harry shuffles through old vinyls, regales a Rolling Stones story, then launches into an eclectic dance to Emotional Rescue -- it's something to see. His grandiose Harry is joyous yet unsettled; a live wire, yet sad - someone reconsidering his life & regretting that he gave Marianne to Paul.
Matthias Schoenaerts plays Paul as the strong, silent type. Paul's checkered past makes him vulnerable; so we witness him burying his emotions, stewing in the background, trying not to let the louder goings-on trouble him. But boy, is he troubled. And then there's Dakota Johnson as 'Penny', an enigma who slowly but surely manipulates those around her with her sexuality. Johnson is good here (naturalistic), but I didn't quite know what to make of her ultimately underwritten character. Together, this foursome creates quite the sensuous spell as the proceedings slow-burn their way to the tragic last act. 'A Bigger Splash' is - at times - too languid, artsy, & pretentious. But it's also a wonderfully weird, thought-provoking drama that deals with temptation & carnal desires -- it leaves a lasting impression.
The story is set on the volcanic Sicilian isle of Pantelleria where rock legend Marianne Lane (Swinton) has gone to recuperate after vocal chord surgery. Flashbacks show us her David Bowie-esque persona as well as some of her personal demons, but now in Italy, she's content to hide away with Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), a photographer/filmmaker who is there to love & take care of her. But their isolated bliss (naked sun-bathing, sex in the pool) is disrupted by the arrival of uncouth Harry (Ralph Feinnes), Marianne's old record producer/ex-flame), & his apparent daughter, 22 yr. old Penelope (Dakota Johnson), who he's only recently met. At first, they tenuously enjoy the isle together: reminiscing, drinking, swimming, going to festivals, etc.. But things start to go awry when Harry, who was responsible for Marianne & Paul getting together 6 yrs. ago, stirs up buried emotions {both good & bad} & puts all their inter-connected relationships to the test.
There are so many complicated romantic entanglements & ulterior motives among these 4 individuals that paying attention to their dialogue {or lack thereof} is crucial -- tension btwn. them is delicious. Harry is there to stir up trouble with his bombastic demeanor, nostalgic stories, & knack of prancing around in the nude; but what's his end game? Who is he there to disrupt and/or woo? He shares a unique rock-&-roll past with Marianne, so seeing her in comfy domestication is somewhat offensive. Paul, who has his own past troubles, has settled into the role of Marianne's lover & caretaker. But this unexpected/unwanted visit from Harry & Penelope has him reeling inside {for several reasons}. And then there's Penelope, whose sexual motivations remain a baffling mystery to all of them.
Each character is coming from a different place, emotionally. Swinton's Marianne 'seems' to want a quieter life with Paul, but Harry's presence {alluring recollections of their hedonistic lifestyle} mucks things up. Though Marianne cannot speak much, Swinton uses her face & body language to convey what her voice does not. While not conventionally beautiful, Swinton rivets by using her mercurial charisma & entire body tell us exactly who she is. Fiennes is just as charismatic, though more extrovertedly. In one scene, his Harry shuffles through old vinyls, regales a Rolling Stones story, then launches into an eclectic dance to Emotional Rescue -- it's something to see. His grandiose Harry is joyous yet unsettled; a live wire, yet sad - someone reconsidering his life & regretting that he gave Marianne to Paul.
Matthias Schoenaerts plays Paul as the strong, silent type. Paul's checkered past makes him vulnerable; so we witness him burying his emotions, stewing in the background, trying not to let the louder goings-on trouble him. But boy, is he troubled. And then there's Dakota Johnson as 'Penny', an enigma who slowly but surely manipulates those around her with her sexuality. Johnson is good here (naturalistic), but I didn't quite know what to make of her ultimately underwritten character. Together, this foursome creates quite the sensuous spell as the proceedings slow-burn their way to the tragic last act. 'A Bigger Splash' is - at times - too languid, artsy, & pretentious. But it's also a wonderfully weird, thought-provoking drama that deals with temptation & carnal desires -- it leaves a lasting impression.