A Bigger Splash (2016) - Luca Guadagnino

Luca Guadagnino's A Bigger Splash is the story of Rock legend Marianne Lane, who after having  unspecified surgery on what I assume is her vocal chords, finds herself recuperating on the secluded, volcanic island of Pantelleria with Paul, her partner.  When record producer and past flame Harry unexpectedly arrives with his daughter Penelope,  Marianne and Paul attempt to be cordial, clearly feeling like their peaceful holiday has been interrupted.  Unfortunately for, well really everyone, the longer Paul stays the more, lets say nostalgia,  Marianne begins to have for her old flame.  A Bigger Splash is an elegant, fun little relationship drama with a thriller-type bite, featuring some fantastic performances from everyone involved.  This is the type of film that doesn't provide much exposition early on after Harry and Penelope arrive, letting its nuanced performances and direction tell much of the underlying story, a trait that pays off in dividends, as much details of the past relationships of these characters are revealed.  What is apparent early on is that Harry is an energetic ball of unmitigated energy, much of which is sexual,  which shatters the tranquil world of Paul and Marianne, and what makes this even more enjoyable for the audience is the fact that Harry is played by Ralph Fiennes.  Without hesitation, I'd argue that Fiennes gives one of his best performances ever in A Bigger Splash, delivering a powerhosue performance of this alpha-male, energetic character who speaks his mind and usually gets what he wants. Harry eventually makes it quite clear that he is here to get back his old flame in Marianne, with A Bigger Slash divulging into a a moody and sensuous experience, thanks also in part to the skilled direction by Luca Guadagnino.  After playing coy for awhile about these character's relationships, A Bigger Splash shows exactly where it is going, with both Penelope and Harry pining for the affection of Paul and Marianne respectively, but it doesn't even matter, due to both the acting, the direction, and a narrative that has a slight trick up its sleeve.  One of the more interesting aspects of A Bigger Splash is how it captures the slow erosion of politeness and decency particularly well, with each of the character increasing succumbing to more primal-based decision making, whether it be sex, violence, or simply forgetting to put up a polite face and simply speak their mind.  Featuring a suburb cast and juicy material, A Bigger Splash is an engaging, sensuous drama in its own right, but what stood out more than anything to me was the direction of Luca Guadagnino, who elevates the film with skilled direction that evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue, making A Bigger Splash a must see for any fan of these types of sensuous dramas. 

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