MovieChat Forums > Swept Away (2002) Discussion > Glimpses of hope in Madonna's acting...

Glimpses of hope in Madonna's acting...

posted 18 years ago by mattlryan
4 replies | jump to latest

I watched Swept Away last night on Channel 5 and have to admit I found the movie rather enjoyable. While I agree with others that Madonna is not the best actress in the world, you do see glimpses of good acting. The scene in the hut where she turns to him and says "what have you done to me?", the scene where she begs him to stay on the island and of course the final scenes which were quite moving. Although she's not always consistent with her performance I believe she could produce good work if she found a believable character. She would be best to find a character that is completely different to her 'madonna' image - a real person. On the plus side of the film, the music and setting is beautiful and enhances a rather poor script. Give it go and watch it!

[–] WehoSteve 18 years ago

I agree. I also think the earlier parts of the movie where she is a total bitch she is good there as well. See also Guy and Madonna's BMW Film "Star" for more of this.

[–] juxtapose70 17 years ago

I loved the movie. I will change my name to "crazy" now but I actually bought the DVD. So what if Madonna was made to look like a 50 year old manly man? She's a LEGEND in so many other areas that her acting really wasn't important for me. People just want to see her do anything. I know that's why I watched it. Sorry to say that her acting was terrible. But I have seen her do some good things like "Desperately Seeking Susan" or "Who's That Girl"? She was ADORABLE in the latter.
But in Swept Away it was the Italian man who made me laugh and also delivered a great performance. English isn't his first language, yet he made me believe in him and the movie. The scenery was fantastic. Hell, I wanted to live with him on that island. In fact, all of the actors were very good in this and the directing--the filming was FINE. Madonna was the weak link. So what? She's nearly 50 and can dance her ass off in 6 inch heels still, she can sing, write books and press people's buttons like no one I've ever seen.
Bottom line for me is, I guess I am a hopeless romantic but I cried at the end...I did! Her husband was a good man and did the right thing but the Italian broke my heart. :(
I haven't seen the original, but would love to. Anyone know where I can find a copy?

[–] Sassy-34 17 years ago

I don't know that Madonna is necessarily such a bad actress. I think it is just that she's already so famous just for being herself that it is hard to get that suspension of belief as a viewer to see her as anyone else, as whatever character she is trying to portray.

I never saw the original version of this film but I liked this version and I especiallly enjoyed that dance number is the middle of the film. I guess that shows that Madonna really is best at just being Madonna.

[–] ldealberti 17 years ago

I thought the film was awful but it's got nothing to do with her acting, she was quite good in it actually.

She played the rich bitch to perfection (can't have been too much of a stretch) and she was quite funny, and she is also very good in the second half when she's stuck with that guy in the island.

I just think she never had the roles she deserved