"Life is not a movie" Which is precisely why we need them and scripts like George Huang's "Swimming With Sharks", and performances like Kevin Spacey's, as the uber taskmaster "Buddy Ackerman". There's something about the energy Mr. Spacey brings to his roles ( and "Buddy Ackerman" is no acception ), that is truly riveting. The care that is taken with not just each word spoken but each syllable of each word is truly a gift. It is this that makes Kevin Spacey one of the greatest actors of our time. Frank Whaley's work here is none too shabby either. Whaley's "Guy" is the earnest but naive new assistant to Spacey's studio exec "Ackerman". Benicio Del Toro is "Rex", the outgoing assistant, whose not a moment too soon being bumped up to an executive position. As he tries to show his replacement the ropes it's clear to all except "Guy" that there are many intangibles involved with this gig. "Rex'" sly knowing glances seem to be saying 'good luck "Guy"---you're gonna need it' as well as 'I can't wait to get the hell out of here'. If I may play devil's advocate in "Buddy's" defense, while he may be high maintanance and a jerk, his demands are not impossible to meet. Personally I've worked for a lot worse and frankly could have done "Guy's" job much more effectively. Michelle Forbes---probably best known to StarTrek: Next Generation fans as "Ensign Ro Laren"---does a fine turn as producer/femme fatale "Dawn Lockard". For the life of me I could not figure the attraction between "Dawn" & "Guy"---as "Buddy" points out she is waaay out of "Guy's" league. I think Mr Huang put these two together primarily to make the viewer say "huh?", but ultimately it does make sense. I don't want to give anything away but you'll go from "huh?" to "ohh!" by movie's end. The script is sharp and satisfying and visually the opening scene is respectfully reminiscent of director Billy Wilder's "Sunset Boulevard". Anyone who has previously surfed this page knows a good well executed plot twist is welcomed and favorably acknowledged. Mr Huang delivers. Again I don't want to give anything away but when "Guy" gets the upper hand of "Buddy" you pity them both but it's "Buddy" for whom your heart breaks. I love that he's totally unrepentent even as "Guy" exacts his revenge. "Guy" does grow a backbone but at great cost. Hooray for Hollywood.
