SWIMFAN

US, 2002, 85 minutes, Colour.
Jesse Bradford, Erika Christensen, Shiri Appleby, Kate Burton, Clayne Crawford, Jason Ritter, Dan Hedaya, Michael Higgins.
Directed by John Polson.

In 1999, Hollywood released an updated remake of the classic Dangerous Liaisons. Nothing necessarily remarkable about that. The difference was that it was set in the teenage world of high school and college in the US. It was called Cruel Intentions. Even audiences who aren't aware of using adult stories for teenage movies will recognise the similarities between Swimfan and Fatal Attraction.

School swimming star, Jesse Bradford, who has a past with drug problems has reformed and is going steady with his nice girlfriend, Shiri Appleby. When he helps newcomer, Erika Christensen (Michael Douglas's daughter in Traffic), open her school locker, he has no idea of the Pandora's box he is opening up. She pursues him to the swimming pool and... After that, she becomes more and more deranged and murderous (although she does not boil a rabbit!). This film emphasises some of the more melodramatic aspects of the plot. It is, of course, a moral fable warning men, young and old, to beware because hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.


1. The title? Psychological drama? A hero, a stalker?

2. The high school background, apartments and homes, pools, hospital, streets and roads? The musical score?

3. Ben’s story, star swimmer, high school, his hopes, the scouts from Stanford, relationship with Amy, her plans for University, but wanting to be with Ben? His mother, working part-time in the hospital?

4. Ben story, the drugs, crime, juvenile hall, the change?

5. Madison, Ben and the car accident, giving her a ride, leaving her notebook, his initials in the musical stave? His meeting Christopher, Madison and anxiety, the meal, her saying she had
a boyfriend in New York? Her going to the pool, the seduction, the sexual encounter, the aftermath, agreement to keep it quiet?

6. Madison appearing at the party, friendly with Amy, Ben and Madison pretending not to know each other? Her continued pursuit of him, messages, emails, the visiting Ben’s mother, the telling Amy the truth? Her dating Josh, Ben’s teammate?

7. Ben, his fears, confessing to Amy, the episode with the steroids, his being disqualified, suspecting Madison?

8. Josh, the teammate, his personality, with Madison, her mistakenly calling Ben’s name?

9. Josh, his death? Ben being blamed, his break into Madison’s apartment, finding the drugs, the shrine to him, his possessions? Discussions with Christopher? The fact that there had been a previous victim, Jake, the visit to the hospital?

10. Madison becoming more psychotic, disguised as Ben, pursuing Amy? Ben getting the blame?

11. Ben and the recording of Madison and her confession? Her being charged, escape, shooting the police, taking Amy, pushing Amy into the pool, the handcuffs?

12. Ben, attacking Madison, rescuing Amy, Madison going to the pool, unable to swim?

13. The stalking experience, Ben and his swimming, career? But love for Amy?