Reviewed by H. W. Moss
Illustrated by The Ant

    French director François Ozon is fascinated with human perception. In "8 Women," one of 2002's top grossing films in France, no character is who they purport to be and that same bewildering series of questions -- how do we look at things, why do we interpret situations the way we do, what effect do our actions have on others and are we really seeing what we think we see? -- are re-visited in his latest movie, a mystery that pretends to be about personality conflicts called "Swimming Pool."

    Diving into "Pool," co-written by Ozon with novelist Emmanuele Bernheim and Ozon's first film in English, seems like a straightforward leap. But the questions lurk beneath the surface and in the end we are confronted with doubt and wonder what, exactly, happened in this film?

    "Pool" has an enigmatic conclusion which is not necessarily what an audience wants. But it is not as murky as "No Way Out" (1987) where there were no clues until the revelation in the final scene. If you accompany someone to a screening of "Pool," you will undoubtedly have an animated discussion about it afterward that may or may not resolve the plot.

    Jaded and grumpy mystery writer Sarah Morton (Charlotte Rampling) is sullen, surly and reactionary. Success has come at a price. Seems no one can wait for a new Inspector Dorwell book, but she wants to write something more emotional and totally different.

    "I'm fed up with murders and investigation," she confides to her London publisher, John Bosland (Charles Dance). He offers advice and free use of his vacation retreat in southern France where she can breathe clean air and start the new novel. No one else will be there, although it is sometimes used by his daughter.

    The change brings immediate results. In London Sarah drank whiskey in the morning, but now she disdains alcohol for tea. Her new diet is primarily large quantities of yogurt mixed with fresh fruit bought at the local outdoor market. After several days of quietude and having begun her new book, Sarah's leisure is disrupted when the house is invaded by Julie (Ludivine Sagnier) who grew up there and has dad's key.

    Julie is a hedonist whose pleasures include good food, fine wine and lots of men. Her taste in men runs to all ages and types and she bounces them on the living room couch with the nonchalance and abandon of a cat in heat. She rises late, usually with a hangover, and lies around the pool all day in the French style, half or wholly naked. This is, of course, in stark contrast to Sarah's reclusive, demure, almost Spartan habits.

	Charlotte Rampling prepares to confront a burglar in 'Swimming Pool,' by director François Ozon.

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