Swimming With Sharks (1995)

Biting!

Brilliantly acted satire that was overlooked at the box office. The end is very disturbing and was the only part of the movie I didn't like and didn't feel it fit the story, otherwise I would have given it five stars. Five stars for the performances though, not one weak link in this film! Anyone interested in Hollywood and movies will want to see this. May 7, 2007

DISAPPOINTED

This is one of our favorite movies.....but, when we sat down to enjoy it, the last 2 scene segments would not play. Very unsettling! March 12, 2007

I just didn't get it

This movie seemed to vacillate between funny ha ha office bullsh*t and then really freaky stuff that made me cringe and want to retch. I don't like that; going back and forth and not knowing what they "want" from me. And I REALLY didn't 'get' the ending. I didn't buy the romance. The only thing I enjoyed about this whole movie was Kevin Spacey; that's it. Just skip through the rest of the crap. May 13, 2006

Swimming With Sharks - Kevin Spacey

This film is beautifully acted by Kevin Spacey, but far too dark and gloomy for comfortable viewing.

It may indeed depict what the writer thought of the film world, but why inflict this depiction on the world I ask.

The story is cynical, cruel and I found the last half of the film very uncomfortable to watch. Not a favourite. March 20, 2006

Spacey at his best

Whether you like Kevin Spacey or not, the character he plays in Swimming With Sharks will inspire a lot of different reactions from you. You'll hate him, you'll laugh because of him, you'll feel sorry for him, and in the end, you won't really know how you feel about him. But along the way, you'll enjoy a dark but funny ride.

Frank Whaley's character, Guy, is a rookie in the entertainment business with a wet-behind-the-ears attitude. He eventually becomes a trusting, naive victim of the cutthroat world of Hollywood movie production. In trying to make it to the top, he gets chewed up by the system. When Guy finally snaps, its Spacey, playing Guy's overbearing, over-the-top boss, that he goes after.

The movie tells most of its story through flashbacks, which can be distracting and interrupt the flow of the story. I didn't really mind it, but some people might. The end is a bit of a letdown and certainly doesn't end the way you might expect it to. And what starts as a comedy, progressively gets darker and less comedic. Spacey's character even adds some wisdom and insights into showbiz that makes you question Guy's supposedly righteousness at getting back at his terror of a boss and sticking up for himself.

All in all, I enjoyed the movie. I think its one of those good stories that not many people appreciate. You might love it or hate it, but its worth giving it a try. November 2, 2005

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