Rating: 
Summary: rather dissapointing
Review: OK, I have seen it all in movies and am not bothered easily by sex or violence, but I thought that this movie was overall a tasteless film which thought itself to be too clever desguised as an art-house flick.Charlotte Rampling however, was fantastic. Ludivine Sagnier was very good also, but I found it hard to enjoy her performance when she was making me down-right uncomfortable (which was perhaps, the goal of her character). Rampling plays a writer who has a severe case of writers block. She is sent to her boss's French home for some relaxation and inspiration for her next novel. All is well until her boss's wild child Julie (Sagnier) comes to the house. A dissapointing mystery then takes place. I loved the film up until Julie showed up. The problem with this movie is that the entire time it sets up this mood of doom and apprehension. The trouble is by the time you figure out what is going on, you are just dissapointed instead of disturbed or scared. Heck, this movie didn't even make me leave the theater thinking...it just made me wish I had gone to see "Seabiscut" a second time. Rated R for Strong Sexuality, violence and language, some drug use thrown in...a bit of everything
Kids should not see this movie as you have most likely guessed
Rating: 
Summary: The shallow end of the pool.
Review: Enjoyable production by Francois Ozon that, given the garbage in the multiplexes this year, will seem better to many people than it really is. *Swimming Pool* is about a British mystery writer (Charlotte Rampling) who, irritable and devoid of inspiration, is sent off to her publisher's off-season country home in the south of France. Almost upon arrival, the solitude and the gracious surroundings work wonders on the writer's imagination, and she immediately starts writing again. But then the publisher's sexy daughter (Ludivine Sagnier) shows up unannounced and commences to wreak havoc on Rampling's peace of mind. Sagnier's character is a sort of French Lolita, who brings to the house loud music, hissy-fits, and a different (and older-than-her) lover every night of the week. Meanwhile, Rampling seethes upstairs with earplugs in her ears. We're meant to contrast the two women: the uptight, perhaps frigid, British lady versus the young, blonde, tan nymphomaniac. Surprisingly, Ozon gets a lot of comic mileage out of this cliched material, at least early on before the plot becomes an inevitable distraction. A particularly nice touch is Rampling's relationship with food, which perhaps mirrors her repressed sexuality: she will typically spoon up flavorless yogurt in great bowls as if it's gruel before breaking down, running to the nearest cafe, and attacking a decadent dessert. (She emits an orgasmic sigh when finished). While this sort of thing is pretty funny, it's also a tired pop-psychology cliche, which isn't alleviated by Ozon KNOWING that we know it's a cliche. And that's just one example. We also get the Sexy French Waiter, the Murder Mystery Plot, the Strange and Colorful Locals (like the dwarf and the amorous gardener). It's all done for laughs, but these targets of Ozon's satire are as wide as a barn. Then there's the nowadays-obligatory "trick" ending. Albeit, it "explains" the plot . . . but the implications that the finale makes regarding the creative process don't justify the lame trickery. Well, whatever. *Swimming Pool* is exceedingly well-directed, generally intelligent, and Sagnier spends significant minutes of screen time exposed from the waist up. I.e.? Good show.
Rating: 
Summary: Swimming Pool
Review: "Swimming Pool" is one of those films which is done a disservice by a movie trailer, or by simply stating what its plot is about. Yes, I can tell you the gist of it, but there is so much more to the film, most notably in the way that it is presented, and in which its unusual story unfolds. It was most certainly a unique film-going experience for me. The refined Charlotte Rampling stars as Sarah Morton, a successful British mystery writer who is suffering from an extreme case of writer's block. She visits the office of her publisher, John Bosload (played with pompous reserve by Charles Dance), and he offers her his French summer home. It is in an idyllic location, secluded from the rest of the world, and yet is only a short walk from the heart of the nearest village. Sarah snaps up the offer. The French retreat proves to be just what the writer needed, and in no time Sarah is feverishly click-clacking away at her word processor. Soon, however, her tranquil setting is ruined by the arrival of Bosload's daughter, Julie (Ludivine Sagnier), and then the real fun begins. To tell you any more of the plot would be to take away from your enjoyment of the film. Watching how it all unfolds is part of the pleasure. Needless to say, the film takes some bizarre turns. The characters in "Swimming Pool" are their own interesting separate entities. Most of our information about Sarah Morton comes from watching her react to situations, whether they be the fresh, serene surroundings of the French home, or the rude, over-sexed goings-on of the young Julie. We are given dabs of knowledge about her past every now and then, but just enough to make us wonder about her more. Julie is an enigma, as well. She definitely lives through her body. She uses it to get her way with men, to try and bluster the taciturn Sarah, and to please her own self. She appears to be quite forthcoming about her life, but yet you suspect that there is much, much more to her than meets the eye. I even wanted to know more about Sarah's publisher, John Bosload. His life is touched upon somewhat, but just enough to make you more curious. It is true that "Swimming Pool" is very much about presentation. Yes, it has a plot which develops, but I was fascinated more by *how* it developed. From the film's leisurely pace whilst Sarah takes-in her French surroundings, to the erotic turn it takes once Julie arrives on the scene, to the dark and mysterious corners that it explores a little later, "Swimming Pool" doesn't for a moment pretend to pander to you. You are never lulled into a feeling of boredom or predictability. I would be reticent at this point if I failed to mention that this film is quite explicit with its sexuality. If this bothers you, then do not go see it. We are given full shots of Ludivine Sagnier lying nude by the pool, copulating with numerous Frenchmen, and we even see one of the Frenchmen in a state of arousal. Also, though most of the dialogue is in English, there are spots in it which are spoken in French (with English sub-titles). If you are fine with this, and can continue to enjoy the film for what it is, then I highly recommend it. As I stated at the start of this review, "Swimming Pool" was a unique movie-going experience. The film is part art-house flick, part soft-core exploitation, and part mystery. Kudos are in order for writer and director Francois Ozon for bringing those elements so exquisitely together. The movie leaves one with quite an impression.
Rating:
Summary: Hmmm...
Review: After seeing Francois Ozon's "Swimming Pool," I felt as if I'd just been to an unsatisfactory tasting by a renowned winemaker. The wines were obviously made with care by masters of the craft, yet the sauvignon blanc was a little too grassy, and the cabernet lacked body..."Swimming Pool," despite its obvious elegance and attention to detail, seemed similarly skewed to me. I realize--as other reviewers have pointed out--that Ozon isn't so much interested in making a straight-ahead thriller as in delineating the weird psychological interplay between Sarah, a brittle, bitchy crime novelist, and Julie, a free-living younger woman. Even so, the plot twists--such as they are--seem insufficient to justify the movie, particularly since Sarah and Julie turn out to be thoroughly, irredeemably repellent. At the end, I felt cheated at having been forced to spend 100 minutes of my life with two such disgusting people. I must admit that Charlotte Rampling and Ludivine Sagnier give their all to making Sarah and Julie as interesting as possible. Rampling is one of those actresses who can be fascinating just buying a carton of yogurt, and Sagnier is an estimable newcomer to the glorious French tradition of sex kittens who can actually act. Nevertheless, their efforts can't prevent "Swimming Pool" from being a disappointment in the end.
Rating: 
Summary: "Everybody Swim, and Swim Safely"
Review: Three words: brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. In short, SWIMMING POOL is the type of film that's nearly impossible to appreciate on a single viewing ... yet be forewarned: you will not look at the film the same upon a second viewing. It's entirely impossible. Brilliantly written, staged, paced, and directed, Francois Ozon's SWIMMING POOL is a marvel for many more reasons than one could possibly explore here. Sumptuous location photography plays second bill to cunningly subtle acting by both Charlotte Rampling and Ludivine Sagnier, both of whom arguably deserve serious Academy Award consideration if not nomination. Their roles are written to absolute perfection, and their work (a budding surprise from Ms. Sagnier) is nothing short of exemplary. Perhaps the greatest impact of the film is the clever manner in which Ozon uses his two leads as bookends: they're stunningly beautiful -- one mature, one immature -- but with equal doses of character deviousness thrown aboard in ways only the watchful, patient viewer can appreciate. Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling) is a crime novelist specializing in stories relating to her principle Inspector Dorwell. She has toiled away successfully for years, but true inner satisfaction eludes her, sitting as out of reach as the invalid father she cares for. At the suggestion of her editor (Charles Dance, in a role all-too-brief), a vacation to a French villa. There, her editor's daughter Julie (Sagnier) shows up unannounced and provides her with displays of youthful indiscretions that serve inspiration for an all-new book -- one ripe with incredibly sensuous overtones and laced, to her wisened surprise, with murder most foul. And don't be fooled. This is a story for adults, for intellects, and for movie maniacs. Let the story unfold. Allow the events to happen, one after the other. The film will climax in a way that dazzles and delights, and the viewer will be rewarded with, perhaps, dozens of interpretations to what just happened. As it stands, the "swimming pool" stands as a powerful storytelling metaphor that gradually -- over the course of a serious of unpredictable events -- binds these two entirely different women together in a way that ... well ... to discuss much more would give away much of the impact (and surprise) of the film. However, as they are drawn closer into a web of adventure and possible deceit, it becomes harder and harder for either of them to halt the single act that, ultimately, will spell triumph for one and possible despair for the other ... ... you'll just have to see for yourself and figure out which.
Rating:
Summary: The problem with being a mystery writer...
Review: As I left the cinema after watching Francois Ozon's latest film, "The Swimming Pool," it seemed as though one half of the audience was patiently explaining to the other half what the film was all about. The film left a great deal of the viewers confused, and tedious explanations of the plot (and there were multiple explanations) were heard all the way to the exit. So what is "The Swimming Pool" about? It's the story of a successful mystery writer--Sarah Morton. Sarah (Charlotte Rampling) is middle-aged, attractive, and she lives with her aged father in a house that could be the front office of a funeral parlour. Sarah isn't a particularly nice person. She's bitter, very difficult, and rather resentful of a new writer who seems to be getting a little more attention than he deserves from publisher, John Bosload. Bosload suggests that Sarah needs a break to help her find inspiration for yet another book in her popular detective series, and he offers his vacant home in the French countryside for Sarah's use. So Sarah leaves for France and wheedles a reluctant and vague commitment from Bosload that he will try to join her for a weekend. Sarah quickly settles in, and the beautiful, quiet home is remote enough for Sarah to begin work on her new novel, but then in the middle of the night, a young woman arrives. The newcomer is Julie--Bosload's daughter. She's pouty, promiscuous, and disruptive, and Sarah takes an immediate dislike to her. The situation unravels rapidly, and Sarah watches Julie bringing men home night after night, but just why is Sarah so interested in Julie? Charlotte Rampling as Sarah is perfect as the rather up-tight spinster who resents, disapproves, and secretly envies Julie's wild ways. There are dark depths to Sarah's mind, and Julie's presence brings this to the surface. Charlotte Rampling starred in another film by Ozon "Under the Sand," and if you've seen it, you may recognize that "The Swimming Pool" has a certain familiarity to it; Ozon used the same writer--Emmanuele Berheim for both films, and the films could serve as companion pieces. Both films focus on solitary women who convert reality into a sort of existence they can accept, and both films are quite surreal. As for what the film is really about--well, that is for the viewer to decide. I have my theories, but why spoil the fun? I loved this remarkably intelligent film, and I intend to watch it again when it is released on DVD, (and I should mention that I've found the director's name spelled two different ways on the internet). However, even though I really enjoyed this film, I recommend it for hard-core French film fans only. Its meaning is elusive and vague, and viewers are going to have to spend some time thinking about this film when it is over--displacedhuman.
Rating:
Summary: Soft porn for those who need an excuse
Review: "Swimming Pool" is nothing more than a soft porn movie with a better than average story line. Alas, some people require an excuse to view titillating sexual themes and Director Francois Ozon is more than willing to oblige. Charlotte Rampling's character, Sarah Morton, is a detective fiction writer who seems sexually frigid and indifferent towards developing viable human relationships. She encounters the boss' daughter, Julie (Ludivine Sagnier), who is a sex addict who indulges in high risk one night stands. Does Sarah envy the young girl? What about Charles Dance? His role as a successful editor is modest and takes up no more than ten minutes of the film. The French scenery is beautiful and the dialogues doesn't get in the way of the continuous frontal nudity and sexual activity. Is there a plot? Not really. We are slightly entertained with a possible murder and a coverup. Does any of this make any sense? Of course not. This is a sex film masquerading as an existentially "serious" film. Does this mean that I hated it? Nope, I took it for what it is actually is---and it deserves four stars.
Rating:
Summary: Not enough stars
Review: Wonderful film, not for prudes or youngsters though. Keeps you on the edge right up to the twist at the end. I just hope I look as good as Charlotte Rampling when I reach her age. And nudity aside, it's refreshing to see actresses who don't feel the need for surgical enhancements to their assorted attributes.
Rating:
Summary: See it once and like it. See it twice and love it.
Review: If you're looking for a good, traditional murder mystery, the sort that Agatha Christie used to come up with, SWIMMING POOL, though it looks like it will be, is not what you're looking for. It's not traditional. The mystery, though there, is hard to figure, even once the closing credits roll. SWIMMING POOL isn't about its mystery. Director Francois Ozon isn't really interested in making a by-the-book thriller. Instead, he uses the conventions of that genre, the things to get audiences into the cinema, to craft a surprising and fascinating psychological film about the character of repressed mystery novelist Sarah Morton, showing how she comes alive when confronted by both the beauty of the French villa where she's on holiday and her publisher's wild, sexually free daughter Julie. Charlotte Rampling, as Morton, delivers one of the great performances of her long career. She crafts Morton as a smart, sour woman with layer upon layer of emotional depth and carries the film. It took me two viewings of the film to figure out that what's most fascinating about the film isn't the mystery, it's the character of Morton and how you get to know her inner thoughts and desires, her very core. She's smart, bitter, cold and savvy. Those are her weapons. The film presents us with two ideas of who women are and how they can choose to behave. It explores both personas by allowing them to clash. Ludivine Sagnier, as the young Julie, is masterful, portraying the character as someone as cunning as Morton. However, unlike Morton, Julie has an entirely different arsenal of weapons at her disposal and uses them with equal skill. She flaunts her freedom, her youth and her sexuality to strike blows against Morton, and their fight is fascinating. Again, SWIMMING POOL is a film that's best appreciated if it's seen twice. It's one of the best films of the year.
Rating:
Summary: Gutsy, ambiguous film with a fantastic performance.
Review: Swimming Pool serves as a marvellous showcase for Francois Ozon's frequent actress, Ludivine Sagnier. Whatever the film's flaws, Sagnier will etch herself into your memory -- her performance is nothing less than on the level of Vivien Leigh's immortal turn in A Streetcar Named Desire. While Charlotte Rampling delivers a fascinating level of insidiousness into the role of writer Sarah Morton, the role is somewhat underdeveloped -- or, depending on how you read the ending, could also be a deliberate, one-sided portrayal of a psychology whose other facets are reflected somewhere else in the film. Personally I still feel more could have been done with the role both in the writing and in the performance; for the first half hour, there is practically no conflict, leaving one with the feeling that Sarah is just a prototypical "repressed English old-maid writer". Thankfully, the script opens up the character late in the film to prevent her from being a complete cliche, and this is where Rampling is allowed to strut her stuff. But Sagnier, as rebellious Julie, is the emotional core of the film. Aside from delivering the unabashed sexuality and spunky charm this kind of role requires, Sagnier's gift shows in the heavier psychological scenes, especially when Julie is alone. Sagnier conveys the complexities of a haunted, mysterious soul with a background of deep joy and deep hurt. She may well have given the sexiest performance of the year, but to be able to colour this performance with the emotional truth she conjures is simply amazing. The story won't be to all tastes. The twist ending is deliberately ambiguous; the editing is bold; and pacing-wise the film lags at two spots. Luckily, whenever Rampling and Sagnier square off, the dramatic sparks fly, and most of the film is based on the interplay of the two actors. There's also the matter of the explicit sexuality. However, be patient with this film (especially with the first 40 minutes or so) and you will be rewarded with one of the finest performances of the year in a film that's unique both in its strengths and its flaws.
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