Saturday, 18 September 2021 19:38

Swimming Pool





SWIMMING POOL

France, 2003, 102 minutes, Colour.
Charlotte Rampling, Ludovine Sagnier, Charles Dance.
Directed by Francois Ozon.

French directors are noted for the impeccable craftsmanship, the elegance of their cinematic style and the intensity of their portrayal of emotions and relationships. In recent years, Francois Ozon, particularly with Under the Sand, has emerged as one of the best of these directors.

One reviewer made the snide remark that in this film, he remains at the shallow end of the pool. I wonder. Given the excellence of his two leading ladies and their skills in communicating contrasting characters and generations and his portrayal of a detective fiction writer who is observing everything for inclusion in her book, we are taken more deeply into these characters than might appear on the surface. While, at times, their behaviour seems bizarre and psychologically improbable, this is all part of the plot twist that brings it all to a satisfying conclusion.

Forty years ago, Charlotte Rampling was emerging as a glamorous starlet in films like Georgy Girl. After an increasingly strong career, she has become an icon, an intense screen presence. Playing the ageing mystery writer as an introverted, moody personality, she has the opportunity to develop into a more open, sensual, scheming and playful woman. It is a performance to be relished. Ludovine Sagnier is able to keep pace as the wilful, self-absorbed promiscuous teenager who changes the writer's attitudes.

Set in beautiful French countryside, the film is an intelligent drama, a psychological thriller and a satisfying adult entertainment.

1. The work of Ozon, his ability to delineate characters, his working well with women, portraying of relationships, fantasy and reality, madness?

2. The initial London settings, ordinary life, the underground, people being busy, the office? The contrast with France and the serene countryside, the beautiful village, the comfortable house, the swimming pool? The landscapes, the ruin of de Sade's castle? The musical score and its moods?

3. The creation of plot and character by the film-maker, by the character writing her novel? A sense of realism and reality? The revelation that it was fantasy? Explaining behaviour puzzles, especially in Sarah? The end and her publication of the book, the confrontation with John, a return to reality and normality?

4. Charlotte Rampling as a screen icon, her presence, air of mystery, glacial style, her developing into a more sensual woman? Her age, experience, portraying an English murder mystery writer?

5. The opening situation, on the underground, the woman identifying her, her leaving the train? An image of reclusive authors? Mannish, brusque, moody? Going to see John, the discussion about money and fame and her not wanting it? Her character Inspector Dorwell? Terry Long and his telling her that his mother was looking forward to the next book? Her own jealousy, discussing about awards, of the editor's care for his writers? Had she had a relationship with John?

6. His sending her to France, the journey, Marcel arriving at the station, opening up the house, going to the village, arriving with Franck at the restaurant, her going shopping, stocking the fridge, eating at home? Her taking over the house, building up her concentration, beginning her writing?

7. All of this seen in retrospect, especially with the arrival of Julie? The transition, her loud arrival, young type, loud, taking over, her seeming lack of values? The suspicions, the verbal clashes with Sarah? Julie's adolescent behaviour? Her surly attitude towards Sarah, using Marcel? Bringing the men home: the fat man, the older man, Franck, the swimming, the sexual activity, Sarah throwing the rock, the killing of Franck? Her own bruises? Her referring to Sarah in such a derogatory way? The story of her mother's death, her father, the manuscript, it being burnt?

8. The transition to friendship between the two, the new start, sharing, lunching out exchanging stories? Franck? Sarah's reaction to the death, helping, burying him? Covering up? Sarah calm? Julie's finally deciding to go to her mother?

9. Sarah and her prim life, yet talking about swinging London, with John, exasperation? With Julie, wanting neatness, the earplugs, confronting the men, yet her own attraction to Franck, her own dreams and imagination? Marcel? Her going to the ruins of the de Sade castle? Reading Julie's journal?

10. Smoking pot, the dancing, her growing sensuality? Her trying to distract Marcel, the nudity, his coming to her room, her lying on the bed?

11. Julie giving Sarah her mother's manuscript, its being incorporated into the novel? The completion of the novel?

12. The swimming pool, covered and uncovered, leafy and clean, Julie swimming in it, Sarah swimming in it, the death of Franck? Reality and symbol?

13. Bringing the new novel to John, glimpsing the real Julia, the audience realising that Sarah had invented everything?

14. An enjoyable and entertaining exercise in portraying an English crime writer, the creativity of writers, their imagination, going beyond their rather strict limits, the manipulation of the audience - willingly?