Swimming with Sharks is one of those movies that not many people know about and travels from top ten list to top ten list by word of mouth alone. If you want a superbly crafted story, two amazingly strong performances and one of Kevin Spacey‘s finest, then this is your movie.
I found this little gem as an extremely cheap “jewel” DVD, that means one that was dropped out of the production process for having flaws for some reason. It’s not that great quality, but it’s a movie that you can cherish and come back to again and again.
The film is about a guy (called Guy) who enters the movie industry as the PA of one of the most respected, and feared, Executives of a big Studio. He’s mean, really mean. If you get something wrong he makes you pay, and even then he seems to go out of his way just to make your life a misery and seems to enjoy the torture. Slowly, step by step, his life is taken over and controlled by his boss. So one day, when he finally snaps he goes out to seek revenge.
What’s interesting is the movie totally twists around the characters and points of view, it’s exceptionally well written, and these two actors really show what their craft is all about. I’d recommend this movie, and as Twitch has pointed out, there’s a new anniversary edition complete with audio commentary. I’ll buy.
Lions Gate will release Swimming With Sharks: Special Edition on June 7th. This new edition of the acerbic black comedy, starring Kevin Spacey and Frank Whaley [Brad in Pulp Fiction], arrives with a new anamorphic transfer and Dolby Digital Surround tracks. Extras will include commentary tracks with director George Huang, Kevin Spacey and cast & crew, deleted scenes, the “A Look Back at Swimming With Sharks: 10th Anniversary” and “Let’s Do Lunch” featurettes and “Shark Tales: Real-Life Stories from Industry Assistants.”
Oy! I have to raise my hand up and say GUILTY!
I have had this DVD on my collection for several months now and havent had the chance to watch it yet. I have heard about the film through word of mouth just like what you said Rich but its been a vicious cycle of me buying DVDs then forgetting I still have a couple that I havent seen. Now that you mentioned it, I will have to find time to watch this one evening. :-)