THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 19, 1995 TAG: 9510190055
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Movie Review
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
THE SHARKS with whom we are forced to swim in ``Swimming With Sharks'' are the egotistical maniacs who lead the film industry.
We meet Buddy Ackerman, one of the most feared executives in the motion picture industry. In a town in which ``the deal'' is worshiped, Buddy is successful, but he lives in fear.
His fear is manifest in the desperate way he clutches his power, particularly the way he treats his meek assistant, Guy.
``Swimming With Sharks'' is another of those low-budget films that was made for little money but still scored significantly. It's too chilling for its own good, though, as it harangues and batters its audience. We must go through the unspeakable humiliations that poor Guy, the budding screenwriter, suffers in order to keep his job, and his ambition.
The acting of the two leads is superb.
Kevin Spacey is frightening as the executive. Spacey has scored markedly in films like ``Glengarry Glen Ross'' and his current unbilled triumph in ``Seven,'' but it's unlikely he'll ever find a more showy role than this. He's a bit much to take.
Our sympathy goes to Guy, winningly played by the ever-rising but hard-to-cast Frank Whaley. Whaley, who has had prestigious small parts in ``Pulp Fiction,'' ``The Doors'' and ``Hoffa,'' manages to make Guy subservient but never quite a doormat.
Here's a man who wants desperately to make it in the movie business and is willing to do whatever it takes - he just isn't sure what it takes.
Michelle Forbes is an eager development producer who dates Guy but may just be using him to get to his boss.
Guy, after some surprising plot twists, seeks his revenge. We pull for him all the way, but all the talk is a bit noisy to get through.
The mean-spiritedness of it all makes for a markedly unpleasant evening. It presumes that audiences are more interested in the office manipulations of the film industry than they actually are.
There are egotists like Ackerman, though, in every industry, and Spacey gives him an edge that never lets up.
The two actors put on quite a show, even if your patience may wear thin before all the shouting has run its course. ILLUSTRATION: MOVIE REVIEW
``Swimming With Sharks''
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Frank Whaley, Michelle Forbes, Roy Dotrice
Director and Writer: George Huang
MPAA rating: R (language)
Mal's rating: **1/2
Locations: Naro in Norfolk (opening Friday)
by CNB