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A Bigger Splash
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Graphic sexual content in fascinating character study.
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A Bigger Splash
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Based on 2 parent reviews
Film pulls you in with all of its details.
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What's the Story?
In A BIGGER SPLASH, rock star Marianne Lane (Tilda Swinton) is taking time off with her boyfriend, photographer Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), on a beautiful island near Italy ater having vocal surgery. Unexpectedly, their old friend, record producer Harry (Ralph Fiennes), shows up with his beautiful daughter, Penelope (Dakota Johnson), in tow. They all proceed to enjoy the island: swimming, drinking, going to festivals, etc. But the past relationship between Marianne and Harry slowly rears its head, and Penelope seems to have eyes for Paul. Everything comes to a head when an argument goes awry, and everyone's relationships are truly tested.
Is It Any Good?
A loose remake of a 1969 French movie, this mature, fascinating character drama is alive in a very sensual way, zeroing in on atmosphere and environment and the way they react with humans. Italian director Luca Guadagnino, who previously worked with Tilda Swinton in the superb I Am Love, has a way of wringing core emotions out of rather turgid material -- and finding a story worth telling.
Guadagnino doesn't shy away from nudity and adult sexual situations, each of which ties back into the story's outcome. He shoots the Italian hideaway in ways that make it seem both relaxing and stirring, with delicious-looking food and a sunny swimming pool, as well as invasions from snakes and geckos. The director occasionally focuses on stray details, sometimes suddenly zooming in and creating a strangely off-putting but alluring effect. A BIGGER SPLASH tells a lurid story, but one with unexpected intelligence and psychological depth.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about A Bigger Splash's sexual content. How is it handled? What purpose does it serve? How much sexual content in media is appropriate for kids?
What's the takeaway from watching this film? What can viewers learn from it all? How do the characters change over the course of the story?
How do minor incidents of violence (against fish, snakes, geckos, etc.) foreshadow other kinds of violence? Are they unsettling? Why or why not?
What is the movie's take on drinking and/or drugs? Which characters drink/do drugs, which don't, and why? Are drugs glamorized?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 4, 2016
- On DVD or streaming: September 6, 2016
- Cast: Matthias Schoenaerts , Tilda Swinton , Ralph Fiennes , Dakota Johnson
- Director: Luca Guadagnino
- Inclusion Information: Gay directors, Middle Eastern/North African directors, Female actors
- Studio: Fox Searchlight
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 124 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: graphic nudity, some strong sexual content, language and brief drug use
- Last updated: March 30, 2022
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