Regular Price $14.98

Starring: Kevin Spacey,  Frank Whaley,  Michelle Forbes,  Benicio Del Toro,  T.E. Russell, 
Directed By: George Huang, 
Rated: R (Restricted)
Release Date: 1995-03-21
Studio: Lions Gate
Format: Closed-captioned,  Color,  Dolby,  DVD-Video,  Special Edition,  Widescreen,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about Swimming With Sharks (Special Edition)

Description
Kevin Spacey stars as Buddy Ackerman, "the boss from hell" who reigns over an entry-level corporate job anyone would kill for. The ambitious Guy (Frank Whaley), Buddy’s personal assistant, finds himself ducking everything from insults to paperweights as he tries to satisfy Buddy’s needs. But when those "needs" involve Guy¹s girlfriend, he snaps. In a wicked twist of personnel payback, Guy takes Buddy as his "personal hostage" for a hilarious executive-suite revenge that is every abused employee¹s dream come true!

Amazon.com essential video
A harsh, cutting, and wickedly funny look into the darker side of show business, Swimming with Sharks tells the story of a naive and eager assistant (Frank Whaley) and his slide into the cutthroat world of Hollywood power struggles. Whaley goes to work for a top movie executive (Kevin Spacey) who almost immediately begins to wear down his new assistant's exuberance with his whining, egomaniacal tantrums and relentless verbal abuse, even as he promises his young charge a chance to move up the ladder. Culminating in a violent and ultimately ironic confrontation between mentor and protégé, this brutal 1994 black comedy benefits from some razor-sharp writing and terrific comic turns from both Whaley (Hoffa) as one whose idealism is irrevocably shattered, and Spacey (Seven, L.A. Confidential), deliciously funny as a caustic, belligerent, and ultimately sad figure. A savage indictment of both the movie business and the price of ambition, Swimming with Sharks is one of the best black comedies in recent years. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews for Swimming With Sharks (Special Edition)

Biting!
Brilliantly acted satire that was overlooked at the box office. The end is very disturbing and was the only part of the movie I didn't like and didn't feel it fit the story, otherwise I would have given it five stars. Five stars for the performances though, not one weak link in this film! Anyone interested in Hollywood and movies will want to see this.Swimming With Sharks (Special Edition)

DISAPPOINTED
This is one of our favorite movies.....but, when we sat down to enjoy it, the last 2 scene segments would not play. Very unsettling!Swimming With Sharks (Special Edition)

I just didn't get it
This movie seemed to vacillate between funny ha ha office bullsh*t and then really freaky stuff that made me cringe and want to retch. I don't like that; going back and forth and not knowing what they "want" from me. And I REALLY didn't 'get' the ending. I didn't buy the romance. The only thing I enjoyed about this whole movie was Kevin Spacey; that's it. Just skip through the rest of the crap.Swimming With Sharks (Special Edition)

Swimming With Sharks - Kevin Spacey
This film is beautifully acted by Kevin Spacey, but far too dark and gloomy for comfortable viewing.

It may indeed depict what the writer thought of the film world, but why inflict this depiction on the world I ask.

The story is cynical, cruel and I found the last half of the film very uncomfortable to watch. Not a favourite.Swimming With Sharks (Special Edition)

Spacey at his best
Whether you like Kevin Spacey or not, the character he plays in Swimming With Sharks will inspire a lot of different reactions from you. You'll hate him, you'll laugh because of him, you'll feel sorry for him, and in the end, you won't really know how you feel about him. But along the way, you'll enjoy a dark but funny ride.

Frank Whaley's character, Guy, is a rookie in the entertainment business with a wet-behind-the-ears attitude. He eventually becomes a trusting, naive victim of the cutthroat world of Hollywood movie production. In trying to make it to the top, he gets chewed up by the system. When Guy finally snaps, its Spacey, playing Guy's overbearing, over-the-top boss, that he goes after.

The movie tells most of its story through flashbacks, which can be distracting and interrupt the flow of the story. I didn't really mind it, but some people might. The end is a bit of a letdown and certainly doesn't end the way you might expect it to. And what starts as a comedy, progressively gets darker and less comedic. Spacey's character even adds some wisdom and insights into showbiz that makes you question Guy's supposedly righteousness at getting back at his terror of a boss and sticking up for himself.

All in all, I enjoyed the movie. I think its one of those good stories that not many people appreciate. You might love it or hate it, but its worth giving it a try.Swimming With Sharks (Special Edition)

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