28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
More Art Film than Crowd Pleaser, January 6, 2003
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.
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18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Forgive me Father for I have sinned, I promise to say 'Hail Mary' until Madonna has a hit movie, July 14, 2007
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.
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Don't listen to the critics, January 13, 2003
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.
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