Themes: Class Differences, Servants and Employers, Opposites Attract
Main Cast: Madonna, Adriano Giannini, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Bruce Greenwood, Elizabeth Banks
Release Year: 2002
Country: UK/US
Run Time: 89 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Guy Ritchie, best known for the tough-guy crime comedies Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, goes for a change of pace with this remake of Lina Wertmuller's 1974 comedy-drama, with his wife Madonna in tow. Amber Leighton (Madonna) is the wife of Dr. Anthony Leighton (Bruce Greenwood), the wealthy and successful head of a pharmaceutical company. While Amber seemingly leads a charmed life, it doesn't appear to make her very happy, and she often inflicts her typically foul mood on those around her, especially the hired help. Anthony decides to surprise Amber with a cruise from Italy to Greece, with four of their friends in tow, but Amber doesn't much care for the notion. Amber feels the yacht they've hired is far beneath her standards, and she makes Giuseppe (Adriano Giannini), the first mate of the crew, the primary target of her dissatisfaction. Giuseppe, an ardent leftist, feels nothing but contempt for Amber, but for the sake of his job he can't say a word in response to her attacks. One day, Amber declines an invitation to go diving with her friends, but later changes her mind, demanding that Giuseppe take her to the underwater caves. Giuseppe warns Amber that a storm is brewing, and his prediction proves to be right on the money; soon, Amber and Giuseppe are stranded on a desert island, and suddenly they discover the tables are turned. Giuseppe, a trained fisherman and outdoorsman, knows how to survive on the island, while Amber is utterly helpless, and he forces her to cower under his commands in order to survive; before long, their mutual antagonism has begun to turn into something approaching unfettered lust. Adriano Giannini, who plays Giuseppe, is the son of Giancarlo Giannini, who played the equivalent role in Wertmuller's original film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
David Thornton - Michael; Michael Beattie - Todd; Yorgo Voyagis - Captain
Credit
Damon Earnshaw - Art Director, Lucinda Syson - Casting, Mark Bennett - Casting, Adam Bohling - Co-producer, David Reid - Co-producer, Arianne Phillips - Costume Designer, Mike Elliott - First Assistant Director, Guy Ritchie - Director, Eddie Hamilton - Editor, Michel Colombier - Composer (Music Score), Russell de Rozario - Production Designer, Alex Barber - Cinematographer, Matthew Vaughn - Producer, Simon Hayes - Sound/Sound Designer, Lina Wertmüller - Screenwriter, Guy Ritchie - Screenwriter, Karl Watkins - Additional Cinematography
The working title for the film was Love, Sex, Drugs and Money[1] but changed back to the original title. The film is a remake of the 1974Italian film of the same name, which stars Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato. Directed by Lina Wertmuller, the original, contrary to the remake, is a beloved classic in the eyes of many critics of European films.
It was filmed in Sardinia and Malta from October 1, 2001 until November 9, 2001 with security increased due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. [2] Madonna had only finished her 2001 Drowned World Tour, two weeks prior to filming.
Amber Leighton (Madonna) is 40, beautiful, rich, spoiled, and arrogant beyond measure. Nothing makes this woman happy, including her wealthy but passive husband (Tony), a pharmaceutical kingpin. When Tony takes her on a private cruise from Greece to Italy, Amber is unimpressed at this impromptu no-frills vacation, and takes out her anger on the ship's first mate, Giuseppe (Adriano Giannini). When a storm leaves the two shipwrecked on a deserted island, however, the tables suddenly turn, with both parties eventually falling in love.
In addition, the film was nominated for Worst Screenplay (by Ritchie), and Giannini for Worst Actor. The film holds the distinction of being the first film to win both Worst Picture and Worst Remake or Sequel. However, in his otherwise negative review of the film, Slant Magazine critic Ed Gonzalez said: "Madonna gives her best performance since Abel Ferrara had her beaten to a pulp in his Dangerous Game."[3] Madonna even won the Worst Supporting Actress award that same year (for her performance in Die Another Day).
Box office
The movie was a box office disaster, having a budget of $10 million but grossing around $600,000 in the United States. It was shown only on 196 screens for two weeks, dropping down to 59 in the final third week of release. In Italy it grossed €71,575 and in Spain €105,371 from 174 screens. [4]
The score to Swept Away was composed by Michel Colombier, and it is mostly his work that is featured on the 12-track soundtrack album. The soundtrack also contain several songs by other artists. "Come-On-A-My-House", sung by Della Reese, is the only one featured on the album.
Songs from the film not featured on the album include "Lovely Head" by Goldfrapp, "Ain't Nobody Here but Us Chickens" by Louis Jordan, and "Fade into You" by Mazzy Star.
DVD
In the UK the film was released straight-to-video by Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment. The DVD Special Features are: Filmmakers' Commentary with Ritchie and Matthew Vaughn, 16 Deleted Scenes, Movie Special (making of), Theatrical trailers and Filmographies. The Movie Special features Ritchie being interviewed by Madonna.
