Swimming Pool

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

French director François Ozon's deliberate thriller arrives on DVD in its R-rated theatrical version on this Universal Studios release (an Unrated version with additional scenes is also available). Presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, the image is virtually flawless. Well-balanced colors, even skin tones, and solid blacks highlight a transfer that was obviously taken from a pristine print of the film. Audio is presented in both English and French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, with an English DTS track also available. Though the dialogue-driven film certainly isn't one to give the top-shelf home audio system a workout, it is clear and free of any audible distortion. In addition to English closed-captioning, optional French and Spanish subtitles are also available. A theatrical trailer is the only extra. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Theatre Wide Screen)
• Audio: DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Subtitle: French, Spanish, English
• Features:
  • Theatrical trailer

AWARDS

• Cannes Film Festival

•     In Competition - 2003

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Charlotte Rampling - Sarah Morton
       Ludivine Sagnier - Julie
       Charles Dance - John Bosload
       Marc Fayolle - Marcel
       Jean-Marie Lamour - Franck the Waiter

• Director:

  François Ozon

• Producer:

  Olivier Delbosc, Marc Missonnier

• Screenwriter:

  Emmanuele Bernheim, François Ozon

• Cinematographer:

  Yorick Le Saux

• Composer (Music Score):

  Philippe Rombi

• Editor:

  Monica Coleman

• Production Designer:

  Wouter Zoon

• Co-producer:

  Timothy Burrill

REVIEWS:

• Gorgeously shot and exquisitely performed, {$François Ozon}'s beguiling {#Swimming Pool} casts a lovely dark spell, but a predictable plot twist in the film's final third ensures that the film ends disappointingly. While more enjoyable than {$Ozon}'s previous entry, the misbegotten {\musical} {\mystery} {#8 Women}, {#Swimming Pool} doesn't match the disturbing {\psychological} intrigue of the director's best work, nor does it follow through on its initial promise. {$Charlotte Rampling} plays {%Sarah Morton}, the repressed British {\mystery} writer with a subtlety and grace that lends humanity to an archetype; and {$Ludivine Sagnier} matches {$Rampling} as {%Julie}, the French wild child who invades {%Sarah}'s tranquil writer's holiday. {%Julie} is also a type, but {$Sagnier} plays the part with such full-bodied vitality and underlying vulnerability that it transcends cliché. The plot eventually fails this pair. To the credit of {$Ozon} and screenwriter {$Emmanuele Bernheim} (who collaborated with {$Claire Denis} on the wonderful {#Friday Night}), they keep the characters' true motivations opaque until well into the film. Eventually, they begin telegraphing the inevitable plot twist in embarrassingly obvious fashion. Perhaps it's all meant to be a sly comment on the nature of {%Sarah}'s work as a {\mystery} novelist. In any case, the silly dénouement of the film fails as {\drama}. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
• Gorgeously shot and exquisitely performed, François Ozon's beguiling Swimming Pool casts a lovely dark spell, but a predictable plot twist in the film's final third ensures that the film ends disappointingly. While more enjoyable than Ozon's previous entry, the misbegotten musical mystery 8 Women, Swimming Pool doesn't match the disturbing psychological intrigue of the director's best work, nor does it follow through on its initial promise. Charlotte Rampling plays Sarah Morton, the repressed British mystery writer with a subtlety and grace that lends humanity to an archetype; and Ludivine Sagnier matches Rampling as Julie, the French wild child who invades Sarah's tranquil writer's holiday. Julie is also a type, but Sagnier plays the part with such full-bodied vitality and underlying vulnerability that it transcends cliché. The plot eventually fails this pair. To the credit of Ozon and screenwriter Emmanuele Bernheim (who collaborated with Claire Denis on the wonderful Friday Night), they keep the characters' true motivations opaque until well into the film. Eventually, they begin telegraphing the inevitable plot twist in embarrassingly obvious fashion. Perhaps it's all meant to be a sly comment on the nature of Sarah's work as a mystery novelist. In any case, the silly dénouement of the film fails as drama. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

CUSTOMER REVIEWS: