Swimming Pool
Confusing thriller is absolutely NOT for kids.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this film contains a lot of nudity, several scenes of explicit sexuality, some strong language and some (mostly offscreen) violence. It is not appropriate for anyone under 17. This isn't really family fare -- it's very sexual, dark, and confusing.
Community Reviews
Rampling and Sagnier make this thriller gripping
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What's the Story?
In SWIMMING POOL the glorious Charlotte Rampling plays Sarah Morton, a middle-aged and somewhat prudish crime novelist living in London. She is bored and unsatisfied, so her publisher suggests she relax at his home in the South of France. The house is wonderful, the weather is perfect (if you don't have South of France envy, you will after watching this), and Sarah begins to work on a new novel. But her idyll is interrupted by the arrival of her publisher's daughter, Julie (Ludivine Sagnier), who is the opposite of Sarah in every way. Soon Sarah's rest is being interrupted by Julie's loud music and frequent sexual encounters.
Is It Any Good?
The story moves slowly, sometimes frustratingly slow, and when the plot thickens, it also becomes very confusing. The lines between reality, fantasy, and Sarah's novel become nearly impossible to untangle, and a final twist at the end leaves the viewer wondering about everything that went before.
Rampling and Sagnier are excellent, but the story becomes so ambiguous and unsettled that it's hard to enjoy it after a while. It's fun to have your assumptions toyed with, but without any resolution, it's simply frustrating. This is a beautifully made film, with ravishing shots of the (often naked) Sagnier in the titular pool, and yet another brave and surprising performance by Rampling. But ultimately it feels like a tease, raising expectations and then leaving them dangling.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they think Sarah imagining what's going on, or if she's creating it for her novel. There is plenty to discuss, but this is probably not the kind of film most parents would feel comfortable watching with their children.
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 20, 2003
- On DVD or streaming: August 23, 2004
- Cast: Charles Dance, Charlotte Rampling, Ludivine Sagnier
- Director: Francois Ozon
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 103 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: nudity, sexual scenes, strong language and violence
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
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