Unlike Deadpool, the trailer for A Bigger Splash was far from enticing so it was only some stellar reviews that persuaded me to see it.
Tilda Swinton stars as an aging rock star who has had an operation on her vocal chords and is recuperating on a sun drenched Italian island with her partner Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts). Out of the blue, her ex-boyfriend Harry (Ralph Fiennes) appears on the island with a young girl Penelope (Dakota Johnson), who may or may not be his daughter. As tensions simmer and rise, a tragic event seems almost inevitable…
This is certainly a slow boiling movie, that requires patience. It is dominated by a brilliantly outrageous turn by Fiennes, who just gets better and better. The scene of him dancing to Emotional Rescue is something to behold! Swinton, as you would expect from her, manages to convey so much despite her virtually unable to talk, and Schoenaerts is particularly impressive in a much more understated role.
It builds to a climax that I found less than satisfying, and it certainly is a bit overlong – there is an extended karaoke sequence that I could have done with less of, and Johnson doesn’t convince particularly as an object of desire.
However, I was beguiled by the languid pace and the three great performances.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10