Special Coverage The Photo IssueThe Must List2008 Fall TV2008 Fall Movies2008 Fall Music

Credits

Release Date: Mar 21, 1995; Rated: R; Length: 101 Minutes; Genres: Comedy, Drama; With: Kevin Spacey and Frank Whaley
B+
By Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Ty Burr is a writer at large for EW and is no relation to Raymond or Aaron

SWIMMING WITH SHARKS Frank Whaley, Kevin Spacey (1995, Vidmark, R, priced for rental) Would-be power brokers will likely get more from this tape than the average renter. In theory, this is one of those Hollywood revenge stories that's as bracing as a power martini at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Writer-director George Huang toiled as beleaguered assistant to a succession of gargoyle film executives before fashioning this tale of a beleaguered assistant (Whaley) who flips out and takes hostage his gargoyle film executive boss (The Usual Suspects' Spacey). But Whaley is too bland, his romance with a gorgeous producer (Michelle Forbes) is too unbelievable, and the twist at Sharks' tail is too farfetched. Spacey is a honey of a hard-ass, though, and it's a mark of this movie's mixed-up message that he's both truly hateable and more sympathetic than the hero. C


Posted Oct 27, 1995
 

Add Your Comments

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. You must have javascript enabled to submit a comment.
--
Change/Edit your grade
characters remaining