Review of Swept Away (2002) by Jen D — 01 Jan 2004

:confused: I don't get it! Everyone seems to hate this movie! Now, let me say this: I tuned into this movie expecting to hate it. I wanted to have a laugh at Madonna's expense, just like everyone else. But then, something unexpected happened. Madonna actually had MY ass...you see, I really began to like this movie. I think that Madonna does perhaps her finest acting in this film, and I am not being sarcastic. I am aware that she has put forth her share of wooden performances. I mean, some of her films have been downright awful, and they suffered because of her inability to emote. But in this film, her husband (director Guy Ritchie, for those of you who live under a rock) manages to coax a real, flesh and blood human being out of her. He is able to achieve what many directors, save for possibly Abel Ferrara, haven't been able to do, and that is to make us forget for two hours that we are watching MADONNA. She melts into this character, and in doing so, I believed that she was a person other than MADONNA the celebrity. Good for Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie. I think that this film was fantastic, and I was very moved by it. I also think that Guy Ritchie's directorial style is brilliant, but that is not exactly a new phenomenon. But the discovery of Madonna's acting ability was the true gem here. Wow!

Great story (even if it WAS a remake), great music, great mood, and wonderful casting if you ask me. I could have done without the other nondescript socialites on the yacht in the beginning of the film, but I understand that they were there merely for exposition.

I hope that more people will give this film a chance. Even I was initially hoping to hate it, and be able to rip it to shreds, as many other people had. But I have discovered a wonderful film in the process, and I am so glad that Madonna proved me wrong this time!