Director: Luca Guadagnino
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton and Matthias Schoenaerts
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors have made movies that shine as bright as Ralph Fiennes. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Fiennes has become an icon. Whether it is preachers, Nazi commanders or bold political leaders, Fiennes has always portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Fiennes’ greatest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he’s not the central focus of a movie, Fiennes always leaves a lasting impression. An actor with bold commitment, Fiennes has proven a celebrated icon in entertainment. Although he is arguably best known for his iconic role as Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise, Fiennes has proven he can make engaging films in every single genre. Throughout a long lasting career, Fiennes has made many memorable movies that definitely are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Fiennes and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “A Bigger Splash” is my favourite. Released in 2015, Lucas Guadagnino’s movie offered a powerful portrait of Italian lovers. Packed with stunning production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best romantic films ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ralph Fiennes, who portrays a lover in relationship that faces a decline. Ultimately, what makes “A Bigger Splash” a captivating masterpiece is strong appeal. Unlike most movies about Italy, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about doomed love, there are several reasons why “A Bigger Splash” is a commemorated film worth watching.
Set in Italy, “A Bigger Splash” tells the story of a couple that embarks on vacations that are rash. Tilda Swinton portrays Marianne Lane, an American woman with a tendency to entertain. Marianne has always shared a bold bond with her husband Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), whom she has always loved dearly. However, Marianne’s life drastically changes when she receives unannounced visits from her former lover. Harry Hawkes (Ralph Fiennes) is a flamboyant man with a tendency to get into mischievous behaviour. Assisted by his daughter Penelope (Dakota Johnson), Harry seeks to wreak havoc on the life of his former lover. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Marianne is forced to wonder whether it’s possible for her family to possibly create a prosperous future.
Luca Guadagnino has always been drawn towards themes of obsession. A legendary Italian filmmaker, Guadagnino has created memorable movies about obsession leading lovers to face disaster. His award-winning movie “I Am Love” offered a strong portrait of Italian women in search for love. With “A Bigger Splash”, however, Guadagnino made his first ever extramarital affair film. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of women engaging in affairs causing adversity but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Guadagnino captures a woman seeking to build home in Italy. Inspired by Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, Guadagnino effectively uses montages to capture the bonds among lovers on a summer vacation. For instance, montages enhance the lover arrival scene. During this unforgettable scene, Marianne gets a shock when she is visited by a former lover. Using montages, Guadagnino creates a portrait of love that’s engaging. Montages are tricky techniques. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” demonstrated, montages enhance historical dramas. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Using stunning visuals, Guadagnino captures tensions which Italian lovers are facing.
Another strong aspect of “A Bigger Splash” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. Emulating Garry Marshall’s “Pretty Woman”, Guadagnino successfully uses costumes to capture the lives of pretty women facing tension. Throughout the film, Marianne’s costumes showcase her strong transformations into a feminist woman. For instance, the costumes elevate the parties scene. During this heartfelt scene, Marianne holds a party at her home that causes her to face tension. Using stunning costumes, Guadagnino constructs a portrait of lovers that’s compelling. Furthermore, the music is magnificent. Jean-Pierre Laforce’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden that lovers bear. Using production, Guadagnino captured Italian lovers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “A Bigger Splash” is a romantic film that’s engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the lives of lovers enduring romantic tensions. Evoking Clint Eastwood’s “The Bridges of Madison County”, Guadagnino successfully uses silence to capture the lives of lovers in tension. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this haunting scene, Marianne bids emotional farewell towards her former lover after his visit comes to an end. Through silence, Guadagnino creates a portrait of lovers that audiences can relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in film. As Edward Berger’s “Conclave” proved, silence enhances films about religion. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Guadagnino captures the lives of lovers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Ralph Fiennes delivers one of his best career performances as Harry. Fiennes eared appreciation for playing Nazi commanders in historical dramas. With “A Bigger Splash”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a lonely lover that seeks recognition but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before; intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a lover facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most iconic actors working today.
While the film is a stunning showcase for Ralph Fiennes, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Tilda Swinton is terrific, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with her ex lover causing a dilemma. Matthias Schoenaerts is spectacular, capturing courageous nature of a husband that faces tension. Lastly, Dakota Johnson merits appreciation. As a conflicted woman, she is unforgettable.
Fans of Ralph Fiennes will absolutely enjoy “A Bigger Splash” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold masterpiece about doomed love, it honours an actor that’s beloved.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking romantic film about lovers seeking a bigger splash facing circumstances that are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an iconic actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to portray heroic characters in captivating movies that engage the public.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 