Three years ago, Luca Guadagnino stated that he was working on a brand new version of his underrated 2016 film “A Bigger Splash.” The new cut is titled “An Even Bigger Splash” and would be an extended version that explores new aspects of the film (which was named after David Hockney's classic painting).
This was all music to my ears. I have been championing this sexy and mysterious neo-noir since I first laid eyes on it eight years ago. However, we haven’t heard much about the extended cut since then, and I was starting to wonder if Guadagnino had given up on it.
We now have an update, and it’s a positive one. Guadagnino is telling Dazed that “An Even Bigger Splash” is “100%” coming out, and being “finalized” as we speak. This new version of the film would be 70 minutes longer than the original. We’re also not entirely sure if it’ll be a theatrical thing or straight to digital. Regardless, I’m sold.
In the original, Tilda Swinton played Marianne, a rock star with voice problems who retreats to a high-end Sicilian villa with her boyfriend (Matthias Schoenaerts). The peace is disturbed when Marianne's ex, music producer Harry (Ralph Fiennes), turns up with a newly discovered daughter (Dakota Johnson).
If you haven’t seen it, the film shouldn’t be spoiled any further, but just know that this was a very loose remake of the ‘60s classic “La Piscine” (no relation to the Ozon). Just when you think you know where it’s going, well, it goes in the complete opposite direction. Guadagnino continuously plays with your head in this film. It’s his most obvious attempt at Hitchcockian cinema.
Guadagnino has come a long way since “I Am Love” and ‘Bigger Splash.’ It’s been a wild ride. He’s become one of the most sought after filmmakers in the biz. His subsequent films include “Call Me By Your Name,” “Suspiria,” “Bones & All,” “Challengers” and “Queer.”
Next year will see the release of Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt,” starring Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield, which recently test screened to very positive notices.