Swimming Pool (Unrated Version) by Charlotte Rampling

This is a very stylish, very atmospheric, very French and also a very slow film. It's a mystery film about a mystery writer. The writer, Sarah (Charlotte Rampling), is a very British lady with much British restraint. At the invitation of her publisher John (Charles Dance) she spends time at his house in France to help her overcome a bout of writers block. And one can't shake off the feeling that she is expecting, or at least secretly hoping for, a visit from him while there. Or is it all a fantasy of hers? Because with her appearance, the short and practical haircut, the minimal makeup, her rather masculine style of dressing, one can't but wonder where her sexual preference lies.One night, completely out of the blue, arrives Julie (Ludivine Sagnier), a brash and vivacious young woman claiming to be John's daughter. The two women resent each other's presence but manage to arrange themselves to coexist in the house, the atmosphere charged with the tension between the repressed spinster and the promiscuous girl who brings home a different man every night. All the time there is the feeling that something momentous is going to happen, and when at long last it does, it is the murder of one of Julie's lovers. Here the film picks up a little speed and various twists and turns follow. You have to pay close attention to what is going on or you won't be able to make sense of it.The film is beautifully shot, much of it on location in France, and mostly in a rather muted colour palette of beige and greens, punctuated by the sparkling blue of the large swimming pool once the drab cover is taken off and it's cleaned up. This introduction of vibrant colour coincides with Julie's intrusion in Sarah's life of peaceful solitude. However, it is the performances of the two lead actresses that really make the film interesting. Charlotte Rampling is quite sensational throughout, as is Ludivine Sagnier who manages to give her initially rather unlikable character great warmth and humanity. Charles Dance is well cast in what is a rather small supporting role. There is quite a lot of nudity and several highly erotic scenes of a sexual nature. As well as being an integral part of the story, these are beautifully handled. However, viewers who are not comfortable with this kind of thing are probably well advised to give this film a miss.The DVD is good. English subtitles are available for those who need them. Any instances of French dialogue in the English version are subtitled in English. The following extra features are included: - Cast interviews (Charlotte Rampling, Ludivine Sagnier) - Cannes 2003 - Red Carpet Footage - Stills Gallery - Promo Reel - Trailer

Don't be put off by the German Blu Ray not stating English language version on the cover as I nearly was. Just go to Sprachen/ton on settings and select 'Originalfassung stereo'. You will then get the original English stereo soundtrack. If German subs show, you can easily disable them. Then sit back and enjoy a fine little psychological thriller with Charlotte Rampling and cast on top form under the direction of the great Francois Ozon. Quality of the Blu Ray is fine, but I hope a new 4k scan is done and released soon for the UK/US market as this film deserves it.

A superb film by Director Francois Ozon who also wrote the screenplay. I think Charlotte Rampling was an excellent choice to play the writer suffering from writer's block, which does happen to anyone who has ever done any form of creative writing. French Actress..Ludivine Sagnier gave the part of the publisher's wayward daughter, such contained attack, the role really did come to life.I like the part at the end when Charlotte Rampling smiles at the camera...noting everyone did get the ending, a really good film and very watchable. The name of Rampling's character in the film...Sarah Morton, was the name of Charlotte Rampling's sister.I did meet Charlotte Rampling in London in the late 1960's at an event...she was very slender with long hair and such elf like features, already making a name in the UK film industry. She did say...She was going to make some films in France. We all know now, she went on to make numerous films in France, and such a talented lady.

I liked all the film, although the demise of the third gentleman, from the cafe; was a little extreme and disturbing.I suppose that it is some kind of artistic license - but then, "Is the law in rural France somewhat lax?" I ask myself. I wasparticularly intrigued with the life of the writer and her travel equipment. A very good film, good to see it again!

This one French film I thoroughly enjoyed. There is no pretention of making it a art film. A good story well presented.A mystery writer,Sara Morton, in mid-literary career crisis, comes to France to spend some time in the holiday residence of her publisher and finish her new novel.There she comes across the daughter of her publisher,who leads a very libertine life. They do not get along very well,but arrange to live in the house together with as less friction as possible.Then the writer slowly gets involved in the life of the daughter and the murder of her lover. This is where the real story starts.The line between fiction and reality merges. The writer finishes her novel and goes back to London. And then there is a last twist to the story. Watch the ending carefully.The cinematography of the film is a feast for the eyes. All the beauty of the French countryside comes out in vibrant warm colours.The whole atmosphere of the fim is charged with high power erotic esp. in the person of daughter of the publisher played by Ludivine Sagnier

A film which likely fell well under the radar, but which is both intelligently written and acted. It has a slow start, but grows in both surprise and mystery as to what may happen next. Well worth an evenings viewing.

Very well acted, and excellent camera work in lovely surroundings. Maybe not for the faint-hearted, but a fascinating story

Sensational. Film. Disappointed it’s not the directors cut