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Issue: Summer 2015-6

A Bigger Splash (2016) movie review

Broken Idyll

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movie poster, A Bigger Splash, Festivale film review; 509x755

Movie poster, A Bigger Splash

An idyllic retreat by famous rock star Marianne (Tilda Swinton) and filmmaker Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts) is disrupted by a friend from the past (Ralph Fiennes) and his daughter (Dakota Johnson).

A Bigger Splash. The name reminded me of The Big Chill, and watching the film I saw similarities. A Bigger Splash brings together old friends and lovers, confronting their present with their past.

Marianne, to make matters more interesting is recovering from throat surgery and can talk in bare whispers, but often not at all. Fiennes plays rock record producer Harry, loud, brash, with apparently no moral structure or off switch. He provokes Marianne.

In a series of well-handled flashbacks intercut with present day, A Bigger Splash tells us the story of this triangle - which with the introduction of Harry's young provocative daughter becomes a quadrangle.

production photograph, A Bigger Splash, Festivale film review; 600x450

The key cast of A Bigger Splash Matthias Schoenaerts, Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson and Ralph Fiennes (c) StudioCanal

The story moves along nicely, the relationships interest us, and we begin to take sides. We have our own idea of a satisfying ending.

Do the film-makers provide that? It's up to each audience member to decide for themselves.



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by Ali Kayn
Australian release 24 Mar 2016
For credits and official site details, see below
Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below.
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Just the facts:

Title: A Bigger Splash (2016)
Written by: Alain Page (story), David Kajganich (scr)
Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Running time: 105 mins
Rating:

The Players: Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes, Matthias Schoenaerts, Dakota Johnson

Official website: https://www.facebook.com/AbiggersplashAU/?brand_redir=1655596498008893
IMDb entry

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