🎬 #182 Sun and Sin.
Apologies, just one film this week but it’s a hot, pleasant - eyes in the sun type film.
Happy viewing,
Bry
FILM: A BIGGER SPLASH
2015 Dir Luca Guadagnino
2 hrs 4 mins
There are films that evoke the feeling of a languid trip in the dusky sun. This is one of them. A peaceful retreat of a film until past lovers and their secret daughters show up and throw everything out of whack. Dynamics changes, rippled by the new arrivals - feelings are conjured up, and made all the more intimate as all the action takes place on an idyllically rustic and remote island off the coast of Italy.
Named after the iconic David Hockney painting - Luca constructs a very lived in, but ramshackle luxury, as Tilda Swinton’s rockstar has to take some time off to recover from surgery. She’s accompanied by her boyfriend played by Matthias Schoenaerts and their days are spent lazing around in revitalising mud as above. The art direction nails that fuss-free living, everything is casual and effortlessly beautiful.
Then comes the inciting incident, the arrival of Marianne’s [the rockstar] ex Harry and his daughter Penelope. He’s the opposite of Paul, Marianne’s current boyfriend - he’s loud and vivacious - savouring all that life has to offer. He’s again, effortlessly, played by Ralph Fiennes, and is equal parts annoying and insanely charming. You can see why Marianne was in love with him. Then things really hit the fan when Penelope starts holding Paul’s gaze for a bit too long - sensuality hangs in the air amongst the household, like the humid air of an Italian evening. Luca handles the tension, building it gradually as jealously unfolds, and temptations tip over into something else.
Perfect viewing for end of the Summer, as a reminder of a the day dream that just was.
*Available for a small rental fee on Apple and Criterion Channel in the US and Apple and Amazon in the UK.
Fact: The owner of the house where the film is set is Jonas Ã…kerlund. A filmmaker most famous for his excellent music videos.