• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

59th BFI London Film Festival Review – A Bigger Splash (2015)

October 10, 2015 by Scott J. Davis

A Bigger Splash, 2015

Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Starring Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson, Matthias Schoenaerts and Ralph Fiennes

SYNOPSIS:

The vacation of a famous rock star and a filmmaker is disrupted by the unexpected visit of an old friend and his daughter.

From the lush opening moments of A Bigger Splash, acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino’s sumptuous new drama/mystery/romance, it’s easy to become extremely jealous of the tranquil surroundings on screen: panoramic views as far as the eye can see, beautiful lagoons and oceans glistening quietly in the harsh sunshine, and the wonderful wildlife that surroundings it. But as glorious and enticing as it looks, it’s almost too perfect and the ocean winds sometimes bring chiller climes.

Enjoying such lush surroundings is former rock’n’roll star Marianne (Swinton), on permanent vacation from the razzmatazz and glamour of her life as a musician. Adored across the globe, she has escaped the craziness of her career after a recent operation on her voice, causing her to stay mute for the majority of her days. In tow is her filmmaker partner Paul (Schoenaerts), who is helping with her recovery.

The tranquil surroundings the two share as they enjoy fine wine, food and love are soon met by the winds of a (sand) storm just around the corner. Said storm soars in on the wings of Ralph Fiennes’ Harry, the former manager and lover of Marianne, who has flown in to disrupt the couple’s tranquil escape with his frivolous, avuncular ways. In tow, his daughter Penelope (Johnson), who herself is in need of a holiday from college studies, and who is soon making pines for Paul.

Loosely based on the 1969 Alain Delon-starrer La Piscine, the new work from director Luca Guadagnino is a visual and sensual delight: a cacophony of genres and motifs that Guadagnino beautifully orchestrates, with some affluent but leering camera-work from his DoP Yorick Le Saux, ironically the same photographer of Francois Ozon’s Swimming Pool, for which this film shares many visual choices.

At turns romantic, striking, mysteriously and wicked, screenwriter David Kajganich’s screenplay is the equivalent of a beautiful Italian feast: luxurious, delicious and splendidly good for you. The final act though may be slightly too hard to swallow as it takes some twisty turns that may blind-sides as much as it impresses, but such is the filmmaking on show, that its still impossible to be swept up its more splendourous moments.

Swinton, easily one of the best actresses working today, is once more on stellar form here, and even more impressive given that she is almost mute throughout. Schoenaerts provides a brawny strength to proceedings, while Johnson “pulls as Kristen Stewart” and continues to impress away from the fifty shades of EL James and franchise flouderings. Fiennes though is the standout, a bravura performance that forms a super double-hander with his Grand Budapest Hotel buffoonery. A whirlwind of flirtatious, sarcasm and luminous dance-moves, Fiennes could well be in the awards mix come the new year.

Opulent, enthralling and devious, A Bigger Splash does exactly what the title suggests: beautifully photographed and directed, and performanced at the highest of levels, its one of the more curious films of the year, but also one of its most impressive.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

Scott Davis is a Senior Staff Writer at Flickering Myth, and is the co-host of The Flickering Myth Podcast.

https://youtu.be/C_zu6XuI_g4?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng

Filed Under: London Film Festival, Movies, Reviews, Scott Davis Tagged With: 59th BFI London Film Festival, A Bigger Splash, dakota johnson, Luca Guadagnino, ralph fiennes, Tilda Swinton

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

10 Great Modern Horror Classics You Have To See

Cannon Films and the Search for Critical Acclaim

Great 2010s Thrillers You May Have Missed

Gladiator at 25: The Story Behind Ridley Scott’s Sword-and-Sandal Epic

7 Mad Movie Doctors Who Deserve More Recognition

The Essential 1990s Superhero Movies

Ten Great Love Letters to Cinema

Lifeforce at 40: A Film Only Cannon Could Have Made

7 Forgotten 2000s Comedy Movies That Are Worth Revisiting

The Bourne Difference: The Major Book vs Movie Changes

Top Stories:

Movie Review – Saint Clare (2025)

Feel the Heat: 10 Uncomfortably Hot and Sweaty Films

10 Great 1980s Sci-Fi Adventure Movies

James Gunn’s Superman soars with $217 million worldwide box office opening

Movie Review – Eddington (2025)

Comic Book Review – Star Trek: Red Shirts #1

18 Incredible 21st Century Films You May Have Missed

Movie Review – Superman (2025)

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

10 Badass Action Movies You Might Have Missed

The Best ‘So Bad It’s Good’ Horror Movies

6 Great Australian Crime Movies of the 1980s

Brilliantly Simple But Insanely Thrilling Movies

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket