A Bigger Splash

The rock-star life can be filled with quirks and larger-than-life stories, especially when fame and ego get in the way. Consider A Bigger Splash, a stylish if uneven romantic thriller set on a remote Italian island.

The gorgeous exotic scenery doesn’t hurt. And the leisurely pace seems to fit the landscape, although there are serious issues beneath the sun-drenched surface. And that’s meant in a good way.

The low-key story follows Marianne (Tilda Swinton), a famous musician reduced to a whisper while she’s recovering from throat surgery. While vacationing at an Italian beach house with her younger boyfriend, Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), their solitude is interrupted by an unannounced visit from Harry (Ralph Fiennes), an impetuous record producer and Marianne’s former lover.

Then primal urges begin taking over. After being reluctantly invited to stay, Harry begins stealing the spotlight and making a subtle push to rekindle the spark with Marianne — even though he ended their affair initially — much to Paul’s chagrin, of course.

Then again, Paul’s attention is gradually diverted by another visitor, Penelope (Dakota Johnson), an alluring young lady who claims to be Paul’s daughter. Eventually, jealousies and desires ramp up the erotic tension.

The strong cast helps to bring credibility to the material, with Fiennes excelling in a change-of-pace role as a charismatic free spirit. Swinton — re-teaming with Italian director Luca Guadagnino (I Am Love) — brings depth to a portrayal that relies almost entirely on facial expressions and body language.

Meanwhile, the intimate character-driven screenplay by David Kajganich (Blood Creek) — based in part on the 1960s French film La Piscine — has a self-deprecating vibe even if it lacks rhythm in spots. The relationship dynamics are intriguing, although it sometimes veers into predictable directions.

Music fans will enjoy some of the offbeat periphery touches, including an impulsive dance number set to the Rolling Stones’ “Emotional Rescue.”

Swinton’s performance aside, Marianne’s voice impairment occasionally feels like a gimmick. Yet for a film in which so much is left unsaid, maybe it’s appropriate.

As a whole, despite a muddled climax, A Bigger Splash provides plenty of rewarding moments and clever twists that effuse its central mystery with some emotional relevance.

Rated R, 123 minutes.