Customer Reviews

Swept Away [VHS]

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(31)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(32)

 

 

Alright, first thing I'm going to do is establish my credibility. Yes, I have been a Madonna fan since 1983 and NO I do not think everything she makes is fantastic which I find annoying and cultish (you know, that glazed eyed look of her fanatic fans.) In fact, she's put out some real doozies (ahem... "Next Best Thing" anyone? What garbage!) Plus, I hated her album "Music" so this is to let you know I'm trying to be a fair viewer.

Okay, the movie. Well, I watched it out of morbid curiosity. I had heard so much bad stuff about this movie I just really wanted to see why it was so horrible. You know what? It wasn't that bad.

The storyline was somewhat interesting... fascinating really... take two opposite persons with different morals and values that defy the other and put each one in a place of power over the other and watch what happens. It is somewhat masochistic in a sense. In other words, it really is a clashing of personal values and defying them until the other gets fed up. The lower class Italian worker simply rebels more and more when he is being dominated by Amber... interestingly enough, Amber, the rich nasty woman, submits completely when she is in the passive position. She really doesn't even fight. Why? Because her place of power really is an illusion whereas his isn't.

Regardless, all philosophical musings aside, you probably want the dirt on the flick. Alright, it's totally Guy all the way when it comes to filming and directing. You get his humor and camera angles from "Lock, Stock..." So if you liked that movie, you might get a kick out of this one.

How was Madonna? Not bad. She was actually interesting in her character. She's starting to really loosen as an actress and beginning to forget the camera. Remember, I said BEGINNING.

She's getting there. Also, it seems like she trusts her husband as a director so she relaxes a bit. She delivers her lines softer, but without as much emotion in the first half of the film. I truly believe Madonna should take acting lessons. She's too conscious of the camera and we as the audience are too conscious of the most famous woman in the world. And she's aware of this.

Is this a problem? Yes, mostly due to the fact that she has a HUGE obstacle to overcome in order for her audience to believe her as an actress; she has to make her audience forget who she is in order for them to like her character that she's portraying. She did this 100% in "Desperately Seeking Susan" and 75% in "Evita."

If she took lessons in acting, like she did with singing, I think she could go somewhere. Otherwise, her marketable product is what's truly knocking her down. What an amazing contradition!

Otherwise, the film was interesting. The scenery was just beautiful, especially the nighttime scenes. There are moments between the two main characters that are genuinely fun and tender. I liked the interaction between the two of them and how loving they are towards each other. The ending (Spoiler) is truly sad which makes it more of an art film than a blockbuster movie. However, you can tell it was put together rather quickly and could have used more polishing. Not a waste, but not that bad.

Still, I plan on renting it when it comes out. I wouldn't mind looking at it again. Recommendations: big bang viewers, don't bother -- it's more of an insight to an artflick, something to chat about.

Why is this movie so bad? "Swept Away" starts out boring and just gets worse and worse. I am not trying to trash Madonna's acting because heaven knows she's been called every name in the book already, but if this movie is any representation of her acting skills she should quit while she's ahead and go back to singing and dancing. Included on the DVD is the MTV special that Madonna did with her husband which is in all actuality better than the movie itself because Madonna seems more human and relaxed. I suppose all of the blame isn't Madonna's fault, but she's Madonna and she and her husband did produce it. I still love Madonna, just not this movie.

I was skeptical when I entered the theater, but I enjoyed "Swept Away" from the beginning to it's bittersweet end. Owen Gleiberman, of "Entertainment Weekly" magazine, was the only critic I had read who actually gave the movie a fair review. It seems that all other critics just took out their stock of well-worn Madonna insults. I don't know if they'll ever give the woman a break. She's not a great actress yet, but she has her moments when she fully inhabits her character and is quite touching. People really have a hard time seeing beyond her persona. You may not want to run out and buy this one, if you haven't seen it yet, but at least rent it and decide for yourself.

Metaphorically speaking I'm from "the old school" and I believe that one should never attempt to remake a classic. But this wonderful movie, so full of passion and beauty, restates very poignantly the original social statement made in Lena Wertmuller's classic tale of love and passion versus social mores and class distinctions. The locations are lush and worthy of the superb acting of Madonna and Adriano Giannini. Never mind the critics, they're all a bunch of bores. See it for yourself! Then see the original version and compare notes.

I have to agree with other reviews of this film and join the chorus of "It's not the worst movie I have ever seen." It's also not a bad performance by Madonna. I think unfortunately this movie was swirled with controversy (remaking a CLASSIC foreign film with politicial and feminist messges, lawsuits from another star who said HE wanted to remake the film with Madonna first, and Guy Ritchie directing his wife, and of course, Madonna's acting ability) before it was even made. When it came out, people were just downright MEAN. I would have loved to have seen it on the big screen, but it never opened here due to the bad press.

When you think about all the clunkers that many popular actors or actresses make, why does everyone act like it's the end of the world when Madonna makes less that a 5 star film. Isn't she entitled to some fun as an actress? Does it all have to be EVITA? I, for one, loved her performance in WHO'S THAT GIRL? I think it's a funny film and a good time.

I think SWEPT AWAY is a hoot. It's not brain surgery, but it's not meant to be. I agree that Madonna is over the top in the beginning, but during the subtle scenes later in the film, she is very convincing and dare I say, powerful. I think the film is a must own for a Madonna fan and the MTV special with Madonna and Guy is TOO CUTE.

Anyway, take time away from your finger pointing at the Material Girl and give Swept Away a watch. It won't change your life, but it wasn't made to.

All too often film critics will bash a movie simply because of a person who is in it. Swept Away was called "a leading contender for a Razzie" (the anti-Oscar) before it even opened. I hope those people actually go see the movie because they will be surprised.

This movie is not perfect. Parts are very "Taming of the Shrew"-esque. I would have given more time developing the transition from "Amber the ..." to "Amber the Nice". And there was one scene where Giuseppe and Amber are on a lift that is pretty cheesy.

HOWEVER, the rest of the cinematography was wonderful. Madonna played the part beautifully, and in my eyes, redeemed herself after "The Next Best Thing". Adriano Giannini was simply amazing...I'm sure we'll be seeing more of him in Hollywood. The story was fast-moving, interesting, and fun. This movie is well-deserving of four stars.

I highly recommend this movie, but just remember:

1) Don't compare it to the original "Swept Away..." This is an adaptation for 2002. It's not meant to be like the original.

2) Go in with an open mind and just enjoy the show!

I have never seen a movie get such bad reviews. Then again, I have never seen reviews that were so badly written and done out of spite and jealousy rather than objectiveness. I thought Swept Away had some faults: Madonna's acting, in the first half of the film, is awful; it is too politically incorrect for some audiences; and the script, especially in the beginning, suffers as well. However, not only does Madonna's acting improve throughout the movie, but the film traps the viewer, makes the viewer cry, and most importantly, makes the viewer think about the values in our society. If any other name had been associated to this film besides Madonna, it would have earned raves.

I just saw this film for the first time today on DVD and I thought it was a very enjoyable film. I laughed out loud several times during the film and, yes, I was laughing WITH them not at them. Madonna does a fantastic job as portraying this snobby, mean-spirited rich wife and once she's stranded on the island, you eventually get to see her character grow as a human being which is always good. Adriano's character is an enjoyable one and his chemistry with Madonna works great. Also I want to mention that her female costars in the beginning of the film (Jeanne Tripplehorn & I'm unsure of the younger blonde actress's name) were colorful characters as well. Madonna is constantly slammed by certain critics and wrongfully they ganged up on her for this one as well. The movie also does not have a typical Hollywood ending but I did have to give the movie only 3 stars because the ending did feel a little rushed and I definitely wanted more. I'd love to see a sequel!

OKAY I HAVE TO ADMIT I HAVE BEEN A MADONNA FAN FROM THE BEGINNING.BUT LETS FACE IT THIS FILM WAS GONNA GET SLATED BEFORE IT WAS EVEN STARTED,AS CRITICS ,AND THERE ARE PROBABLY SOME WHO NEVER EVEN WATCHED IT,WILL SLATE EVERYTHING MADONNA IS IN.IT WAS NOT THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE WORSE AND THEY GET OSCAR NOMINATED AND RAVE REVIEWS(I HATED 8 MILE TOTAL AND UTTER BOREDOM).IM GLAD I BOUGHT THIS FILM,IT WAS ENTERTAINING,GREAT LOCATION,MADONNA LOOKED FAB AND WAS MONEY WELL SPENT.IF ONLY PEOPLE WOULD MAKE UP THEIR OWN MINDS AND FORGET ABOUT CRITICS.

don't listen to the critics....watch the movie yourself and formulate your own view...you might be surprised