I have typically enjoyed Guy Ritchie's movies, and have always heard AWFUL things about Swept Away, so still haven't watched it. I thought I'd come read about it on IMDB and saw a 3.6 star rating, which is even lower than I expected.
So my question is: is this movie so bad that I should never take the time to watch it, or is it at least worth a gander?
In my opinion, the movie is not extremely terrible. It's far from being Oscar or Golden Globe worthy. However, it's not that bad of a movie if you are going through channels in the TV, and you find this. I would rate the movie a 5/10.
Madonna said it best that the critics just like to take projects that she and her husband do together and to belittle it.
I think it's a very solid flick. The ending is emotional and REALLY good. Not as great as the original '74 version but very watchable with great re-watchability.
7/10
Recommend
"Swept Away" starts as a fun, entertaining farce and morphs into a potent social commentary and, finally, a moving love story. The movie will make you laugh, make you angry, make you cry and ultimately move you. But it will only have this effect IF you refuse to listen to the drivel of the cookie-cutter critics and give it a chance.
As for Madonna, she's no Meryl Streep but she successfully makes you despise Amber in Act 1 and feel for her later on. She made me believe Amber was a real person. What more do you want?
I'm not an anti-capitalist, but the film effectively points out the flaws of this system. It also effectively reveals how money/materialism can't of itself give true happiness, love or fulfillment. Amber had everything but was the most unhappy, loathsome person you'd likely meet.
One reviewer referred to the film as a "wife beater's fantasy" but failed to point out that it could just as easily be called a "Man torturer's fantasy" or "Man emasculater's fantasy." Let's be evenhanded with our appraisals.
I admit the physical abuse of Amber on the island (slapping, kicking and especially the faux-rape) is disturbing and almost tempted me to tune out, but then I saw what the filmmakers were shooting for, the filmmakers being Madonna and her husband.
In our society we've been misled to believe that mental abuse is less abusive because it's not physical. This film effectively shows that mental abuse can be just as bad, if not worse.
The fact that Madonna -- one of the most successful women in history and the original "material girl" -- utilized this film to make this point speaks volumes. It's a sign of enlightenment and spiritual strength.
"Swept Away" is much better than similar flicks like 1998's "Six Days, Seven Nights" with Harrison Ford and Anne Heche. Why? Because, not only is it fun and entertaining, it's also thought-provoking and moving. What more do you want from a stranded-on-a-deserted-island romantic-comedy?
I dont think so.
I'm Definitely a fan.
I'd give it a 5 or 6/10. The first 1/3 of the movie, Madonna's character is absolutely insufferable which really begins to grate on one's nerves. The second third of the movie is a bit unbelievable (she's STILL acting insufferable when they're suddenly on a deserted island not knowing how they're going to survive? Seriously??). And then the final third of the movie I'd say is the best, albeit still without its flaws. Visually it's a pretty beautiful movie though and the premise is good so I don't regret watching it. I expected it to be worse based on its abysmal IMDB rating.
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