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Swimming Pool

2003 DVD Certificate 15.gif
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 9051 members

In Francois Ozon's SWIMMING POOL, Charlotte Rampling plays Sarah Morton, a prim and proper British author who has written a successful series of mystery-crime novels. However, when she visits her London publisher (Charles Dance) in a dour mood, wearing a depressive pout, and complains that she's no longer his favourite, he .. Read more

Starring Charlotte Rampling, Ludivine Sagnier, Charles Dance, Marc Fayolle
Director Francois Ozon
Run time 98 mins
Genres Thriller

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  • Critics' reviews (4) of Swimming Pool

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    Charlotte Rampling's emotionally repressed crime writer and publisher Charles Dance's carefree daughter, Ludivine Sagnier, encounter each other in France when Rampling takes a working break to gain inspiration for her next book in this teasingly ambiguous study of creative angst and sexual tension. Director François Ozon continues to pry into the psyche of the vulnerable, while Yorick Le Saux's cinematography is key to establishing the contrast between the drab frustration of London and the scorching temptation of the southern French hideaway of Luberon. This in turn serves to reinforce the differences between the two women. But it's the skill with which Ozon and his stars explore clashing attitudes and universal urges that ensures this knowing melodrama is compelling viewing right up to its mischievous conclusion.

    • Radio Times
  • Bored by her successful series of crime mysteries, uptight British novelist Rampling agrees to take a break in her... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
  • Most helpful member's review of Swimming Pool

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  • 46 out of 68 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    A Guilty Pleasure - Like Peeing In The Pool......

    There are three reasons why you should watch this film - Ludivine Sagnier in a swimsuit, Ludivine Sagnier topless and finally Ludivine Sagnier in the buff. Sexist? Possibly. Harsh? Not really considering the amount of time Ozon allocates towards examining every angle of her curvaceous young body. Now don?t get me wrong the plot is initially intriguing, the characters fairly well defined and the acting from both Rampling and Sagnier is assured. But for me the film never really ignites and after watching ?Water Drops on Burning Rocks? it felt too ?safe? and somewhat lacklustre in effort.

    Arguably the cinematography is crisp but lacks any real imagination and whilst Ozon?s direction is confident, it is rather bland and more orientated, I felt, towards the mainstream elements of cinema. On the positive side, both actresses capture the stereotypical caricatures perfectly, with Rampling playing the dowdy but manipulative English woman and Sagnier the seductive but emotionally insecure young tearaway. However, I found the actual relationship between the two unconvincing and this unfortunately allowed me to pre-empt where the script was going.

    Overall this is a solid if rather uninspiring film and is certainly worth a rent for the sultry pouting of Sagnier alone. However, if you are looking for a good thriller then I would advise you to look elsewhere and for a more risqu? example of French cinema try ?Water Drops on Burning Rocks?. 3 out of 5.

    Extras ? Interviews (Charlotte Rampling ? 8m & Ludivine Sagnier ? 11m), Cannes Film Festival 2003 (3m), Stills Galleries, Trailer, Promo Reel and French Teaser.

    Subtitles ? Only available during the French dialogue but these are clear to read.

      • Clucky from Cardiff, Wales
  • Most recent members' review of Swimming Pool

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  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Well Acted Drama

    It's great to see quality British actors and actresses in action and Swimming Pool serves up a considered performance from our very own Charlotte Rampling. She is superb as the writer who takes a working holiday to find inspiration only to find it in the form of the highly sexed daughter of her publisher, played wonderfully by Ludivine Sagnier. The film takes on a darker tone as it progresses and I'm not sure it quite works as it seems a tad unbelievable (plus the twist will not be to everyone's tastes) but I'll let this film off as it's qualities far outstrips it's flaws.

      • imran from London
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