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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