Swimming Pool (2003)

Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling) is a famous British mystery author. Tired of London and seeking inspiration for her new novel, she accepts an offer from her publisher John Bosload (Charles Dance) to stay at his home in Lubéron, in the South of France. It is the off-season, and Sarah finds that the beautiful country locale and unhurried pace is just the tonic for her – until late one night, when John’s indolent and insouciant French daughter Julie (Ludivine Sagnier) unexpectedly arrives. Sarah’s prim and steely English reserve is jarred by Julie’s reckless, sexually charged lifestyle. Their interactions set off an increasingly unsettling series of events, as Sarah’s creative process and a possible real-life murder begin to blend dangerously together.

François Ozon wrote the original screenplay in

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External Reviews

There are narrative weaknesses and unmet expectations surrounding the climax that the epilogue's revelations cannot entirely dispel, but on balance, the performances and tone are more than enough to earn Swimming Pool a solid recommendation. 

Sunshine, murder and Charlotte Rampling join forces in Francois Ozon's French-country-house thriller. But the real attraction is the topless Ludivine Sagnier.

--Stephanie Zacharek (Salon)

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"Swimming Pool" is more of a conventional thriller than those two--or if it is unconventional, that is a development that doesn't affect the telling of most of the story. 

--Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times)

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The tension is never crushing, as it would be in an American job. Instead, it grows by increments, until you realize the movie, in its quiet way, has you snared entirely. And that's even before the first murder.

--Stephen Hunter (Washington Post)

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Swimming Pool is a slow movie until the very end, but it does maintain audience interest with the promise that there will be some great mystery that is unfortunately never delivered. But the acting, cinematography and setting are all up to par, making ita reasonably compelling waste of time. 7/10

--David Trier (Movie-Vault.com)

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For all of Swimming Pool’s qualities as cinematic entertainment (strong performances, crisp cinematography, a lush score), it delivers pristine goods that have no substance to them. 

--Jeremiah Kipp (FilmCritic.com)

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Swimming Pool contains a couple of great performances, but the half-baked mystery that dominates the second half prevents the movie from becoming anything more than a semi-entertaining showcase for a pair of fantastic actresses. 

--David Nusair (Reel Film Reviews)

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This is Ozon's movie. His subtle and atmospheric direction once again confirms his status as one of France's most talented and provocative auteurs. 

--Neil Smith (BBC Films)

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Ozon presents us with two terrific, three-dimensional woman characters, the two lead actresses play off each other wonderfully, and the combination of sunny cinematography and an ominous score creates an interestingly offbeat trouble-in-paradise vibe. 

--Kevin N. Laforest (Montreal Film Journal)

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A carousel of debauchery and second childhood fantasies. 78/100

--Jon Lap (Apollo Guide)

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Cast

Charlotte Rampling Angel Heart, Basic Instinct 2, The Verdict Ludivine Sagnier 8 Women, Cyrano de Bergerac, Peter Pan Charles Dance Alien 3, Gosford Park, Last Action Hero Jean-Marie Lamour Rire et châtiment, Hari Om, Harlom Marc Fayolle Mireille Mossé The City of Lost Children, The Girl On the Bridge Michel Fau Harry Is Here to Help, Créateur, Le, Foon [more]

Whether the movie leaves you confused or angry, you will be stimulated to long discussion afterward. How often does that happen these days?  --Jack Mathews (New York Daily News) Despite a seemingly basic plotline (see above), the movie is filled with symbolism, in both overt and covert form, and ultimately took me for a nice loop. It's the kind of film that makes you think and converse about it afterwards. Very well produced andaccomplished. 8/10 --'JoBlo' (JoBlo.com) Beautifully-shot, well-acted drama that’s by turns erotic, amusing and sinister – though it’s let down by an annoying ending.  --Matthew Turner (ViewLondon) While possibly not for everyone, 'Swimming Pool' is superbly acted, and also perfectly constructed, with even the most casually offhand details or remarks coming to seem important in retrospect. A deeply intelligent film that somehow manages never to seem so. 8/10 --Anton Bitel (Movie Gazette)