The movie box looks like a kooky slapstick comedy,
but it turned out to be a bit darker than that. Darker and deeper.
Of course, Kevin Spacey was the real draw, and while his energy
was more dramatic than comic, his was a superb performance. I'd
say better than his Oscar winning jobs.
Guy is an ambitious young kid starting to pay his dues in the big leagues of the movie business. And pay he will. And pay and pay and pay. He's the new personal assistant to VP Buddy Ackerman (Spacey) who is the ultimate boss from hell. Rude, arrogant, explosive, callous, sadistic, ultra-demanding... you name it, Spacey really goes to town. He's not the cartoon caricature I was expecting, though. He's just doing what it takes to function in the upper corporate echelons of show business, and grooming young Guy to eventually do the same.
Guy doesn't quite see it that way, though. He flips out, takes Buddy hostage and starts enacting his numerous vicious revenge fantasies. This is touted as the "funny" part, but it's actually pretty damn gruesome. The film is really about Guy, and Frank Whaley gives a great lead performance, transforming from a naive, idealistic young runt to the mirror image of his monster boss.
I suppose you could call "Swimming With Sharks" a comedy of sorts. I was snickering pretty wicked when Guy tried asking Buddy to be more gentle and considerate. (This must lead into the scene where Buddy throws the paperweight.) "Swimming With Sharks" is kind of a 180 proof version of "The Player". Same theme, more intense.
Highly reccomended, but be ready for it. This film literally doesn't pull it's punches.