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By Tiltuesday
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Monday, 17 May 2004
 Swimming Pool is an example of what the French would make of a Hitchcock pastiche. OK, there aren’t any Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart look-alikes, but the feel of it is unmistakable and, with that in mind, it makes for a great set-up. Charlotte Rampling plays Sarah, a middle-aged, rather bored crime author who hates being recognised and has become tired of penning detective mysteries so, at the suggestion of her publisher, John (Charles Dance), she decides to go for a rest at his home in France and revitalise her writing self. After settling in, she starts work and is happy in her new habitat until John’s wayward daughter, Julie ( Ludivine Sagnier) shows up and turns her peaceful sojourn upside down.
After disliking Julie’s lifestyle at first, Sarah becomes fascinated with the girl and her succession of lovers, even writing about her as a side project, until things start to take a darker turn.
François Ozon’s film is very French, despite being set partly in London. The scenery is lovely and much is made of Sagnier’s sex appeal, but it is Rampling who takes centre stage and uses it to full effect, particularly in her scenes with Julie. If you’re looking for a slow pot-boiling psychological thriller with a bit of sex thrown in, then this will be your cup of tea.
(4/5)
Release Date: 17 May 2004
 Swimming Pool |
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