Swimming with Sharks (1994)

Overview
User Rating:
7.0/10 8,707 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
George Huang
Writer:
George Huang (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Swimming with Sharks on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 March 1995 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama more
Tagline:
Back Stabbing - Two Faced - Revenge more
Plot:
A young, naive Hollywood studio assistant finally turns the tables on his incredibly abusive producer boss. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Boss | Hollywood | Assistant | Movie Producer | Torture
more
Awards:
3 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
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User Comments:
Why is this so enjoyable? more
Cast
(Complete credited cast)

Kevin Spacey ... Buddy Ackerman
Frank Whaley ... Guy

Michelle Forbes ... Dawn Lockard

Benicio Del Toro ... Rex

T.E. Russell ... Foster Kane
Roy Dotrice ... Cyrus Miles
Matthew Flint ... Manny

Patrick Fischler ... Moe
Jerry Levine ... Jack
more
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Additional Details
Also Known As:
The Boss
The Buddy Factor
more
MPAA:
Rated R for some scenes of psychological/physical torture and pervasive strong language.
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Australia:MA | Argentina:13 | South Korea:15 | Germany:16 | Singapore:R(A) | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG (re-rating) | Iceland:16
Filming Locations:
Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
Company:
Cineville more
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Director George Huang was convinced to make this film by Robert Rodriguez. Huang used to work for Columbia Pictures, which acquired the distribution rights for Rodriguez' film Mariachi, El (1992) in 1991. The two met and Huang shared some of his would-be movie stories with Rodriguez, who - as documented in his memoir, "Rebel Without a Crew" - told Huang that he should simply "go out and make a movie." As such, Huang resigned from his position and set out to make this film. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Guy's head is alternately up/down between cuts when he is holding Buddy at gunpoint. more
Quotes:
Buddy: This is the only way that you can hope to survive. Because life... is not a movie. Everyone lies. Good guys lose. And love... does not conquer all. more
Movie Connections:
References Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) more
Soundtrack:
GOOD ENOUGH more
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User Comments
(Comment on this title)
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
Why is this so enjoyable?, 1 June 2006
8/10
Author: Mike Keating (yamawhore@gmail.com) from London, England

Swimming with Sharks sees Guy (Frank Whaley) attempt to "turn the tables" on his abusive boss Buddy (Kevin Spacey), and while this makes the film simple and unoriginal in terms of plot, it is a cut above the rest thanks to the performances of its small cast.

One would assume that we would root for Guy, the innocent graduate demeaned by his aggressive boss, but the way the film tells the story prevents us from empathizing with him (as does his awful haircut); knowing that he tortures Buddy physically for his mental abuse complicates our response, and puts us on Buddy's side, allowing us to enjoy the games Buddy plays with Guy. This is something that's made very easy to do by the acting. Kevin Spacey is typically excellent as Buddy Ackerman and is the most engaging character in the film, remaining funny and manipulative throughout, even while being tortured and held hostage, as well as handling the more serious emotional aspects of his character expertly. Frank Whaley is also brilliant, playing the overwhelmed lapdog who is eventually pushed over the edge by Buddy's abuse. Importantly however, despite his plans for revenge, he remains under Buddy's spell right up until the end, and is eventually broken.

The film's conclusion further complicates our responses to both characters. The hostage situation revelations pull the audience between the impassioned-now-heartless Buddy and the desperate and confused Guy, but ultimately good does not prevail, and the shooting and Buddy's manipulation of the situation remove us from both characters as the film ends.

All in all, Swimming with Sharks is an enjoyable film. The simple plot and small cast are compensated for by some fine performances; it's funny , well-acted, and definitely worth watching.