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Selection for the Weekend of
March 31 - April 2, 2000


40% off at Reel.com!


     Swimming With Sharks

Do you remember the boss-from-hell that made your life miserable? In today's society where paid overtime is an anathema to white collar workers, 50 - 60 hour weeks are all too common and business executives are willing to let you go to find someone to do the job cheaper, we find more and more of these dreaded employers.

Wouldn't you want to get revenge and make that horrible human being pay for what he has done?

In the dark comedy Swimming with Sharks, Frank Whaley stars as Guy, a young, naïve kid fresh out of college with dreams of being in show business. He has always been driven to create the movies that fill our memory with happy thoughts. For now, he is stuck fetching coffee for Buddy Ackerman (Kevin Spacey), a high powered studio executive with a reputation for treating his assistants in dehumanizing ways, philandering to the highest degree and making tons of money for the studio.

Guy is constantly trying to withstand the barrage of insults being hurled his way. His only outlet is his relationship with Dawn (Michelle Forbes), a producer who wants him to walk away from Buddy and start his own career as a writer and director.

Finally, something so horrible happens that Guy can't take it anymore. What is it that drives Guy over the edge? Will Buddy seek forgiveness?

The film is a fantastic combination of dark comedy and drama. Kevin Spacey is absolutely fabulous as the meglomaniacal studio executive who seems to take pleasure in berating Guy. Also, he is able to draw some sympathy from the audience as we learn why he is such a horrible human being. In the hands of a lesser actor, the role would be one-dimensional and become tired after half of the movie, but Spacey adds some complexity to the character that keeps our interest.

Remember, the film is a dark comedy, so there are some violent scenes that will shock viewers looking for a lighthearted comedy and be prepared for an ending that you can't predict. However, Spacey's scenes, where he belittles and berates Guy, are hilarious. Check it out this weekend.

Grade: A-

Directed and Written by George Huang

Cast

Kevin Spacey ………………………… Buddy Ackerman

Frank Whaley ………………………… Guy

Michelle Forbes ………………………. Dawn

Benicio Del Toro ……………………… Rex

T.E. Russell …………………………… Foster Kane

Roy Dotrice …………………………… Cyrus Miles

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