Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes Have the Vacation From Hell in ‘A Bigger Splash’

Sandra Miska

Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes star in “A Bigger Splash,” a thriller about a vacation gone awry inspired by the 1969 French film “La Piscine.” Rockstar Marianne Lane (Swinton) is first introduced walking onto a stadium stage to be greeted by thousands of screaming fans. She wears a wig and glittery make-up, appearing to be somewhat of a female David Bowie. Cut to present day and quite a contrast is shown as she is relaxing at a remote location, an island off the coast of Italy, with her boyfriend Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts). There is no dialogue in these first scenes, as Marianne is recovering from vocal cord surgery.

With just one phone call their tranquility is interrupted.  Marianne’s ex-boyfriend Harry (Fiennes), a music producer, has arrived for an impromptu visit. Marianne and Paul head to the airport and are surprised to discover that their old friend is not alone but with Penelope (Dakota Johnson), the daughter he only recently discovered he had. From the second he arrives, the larger-than-life Harry dominates. The foursome stay at Marianne’s villa where hedonistic Harry makes himself at home, inviting guests and constantly getting naked and jumping in the pool. But this is hardly the worst of it as Harry drinks like a fish, tempting the sobriety of Paul who got clean following a suicide attempt a year ago, something Harry isn’t shy about bringing up.

Flashbacks reveal that Harry actually met Paul before Marianne back when Paul enjoyed more success in his professional life and interviewed Harry for a documentary. The two immediately hit it off, and Harry suggests his new friend date Marianne despite his not quite being broken up with her. Because of this introduction, Harry still feels justified in butting in the couple’s relationship six years later while feeling entitled to his former lover’s affections.

As for Penelope, she is cut from the same cloth as her father despite haven’t been raised by him and not even knowing for sure if they are actually related. Like dear old dad, she craves attention and has a fondness for showing flesh but while Harry comes off as being boisterous, Penelope is more than often a quiet observer, speaking up only to push buttons. She mostly focuses on Paul, taunting him one day and trying to seduce him the next. Together, daddy and daughter are quite the spectacle and after a few cringe-worthy moments, Marianne decides to speak to Harry about boundaries, a conversation that predictably doesn’t go very well.

Tensions mount in the villa, especially between Paul and Harry. The vacation eventually comes to a premature end after a brawl in the pool leads to tragedy.

The highlight of “A Bigger Splash” is Swinton’s emotional performance that she gives using little dialogue, limited by her character’s affliction. In spite of being a rock star and having a past that involves wild partying and drug use, Marianne serves as the moral compass. She is torn between two men when, truthfully, she is probably better off with neither. Fiennes is also impressive with his boisterous performance that is unlike anything he has previously done.

“A Bigger Splash” opens in select theaters May 4.