Swept from the Sea

Plot synopsis:
Yanko Góral (Vincent Perez), a Ukrainian peasant, is swept ashore on the coast of Cornwall, England, after his emigrant ship sinks on its way to America in 1888. The bodies of his fellow passengers wash ashore and are soon buried in a mass grave. Yanko makes his way to the Swaffer farm, where his dishevelled appearance frightens the family. Amy Foster (Rachel Weisz), however, is not frightened by the stranger. Amy is a loner who visits her parents, Mary and Isaac Foster, every Sunday, despite receiving very little love from them. Her father calls her a "queer sort" who collects things that wash ashore, and blames her for his scandalous marriage—Mary was already pregnant before they were married. In the coming days, Amy attends to Yanko—washing, feeding, and caring for him. When he regains his health, Yanko is taken away by the townspeople to work as slave labour.
A few months later, Dr. Kennedy (Ian McKellen) and Mr. Swaffer (Joss Ackland) are playing chess when Yanko approaches and shows the men a series of brilliant chess moves. Dr. Kennedy soon determines that the man is in fact Russian. Having gained a newfound respect for the stranger, the Swaffers take him in, start paying him for his labor, and give him normal working hours. Yanko learns from the doctor that Miss Swaffer (Kathy Bates), on the eve of her wedding day, had a horse-riding accident and broke her spine. The doctor also reveals that he lost his wife and son to typhus "many lifetimes ago." The doctor's fatherly affection for Yanko is evident in their meetings, where Yanko learns English and the doctor learns chess. The doctor purchases Yanko a new suit of clothes, which gives him the courage to visit Amy and ask her to go for walks.
When Mr. Swaffer learns of Yanko's interest in Amy, he tries to dissuade her from any romantic involvement. Amy's parents also urge her to stay away—her mother warning her that love is "God's trick upon women." When Yanko goes to church, he encounters a hostility in the congregation that bewilders him. "Their eyes are like glass," he later tells Amy, who finds him at the obelisk memorial for the ship's dead. There he learns for the first time what happened to his fellow passengers. To escape the hate, Amy takes Yanko to her secret cave filled with treasures she found on the shore, which she calls "gifts from the sea." Yanko and Amy make love in the cave.
Soon after, while walking alone in town, Yanko is set upon by Amy's father and his thuggish friends, beaten up, and nearly drowned before being saved by Amy, who takes care of him in the coming days. Meanwhile, Dr. Kennedy has little sympathy for Amy, whom he considers "a little strange" and "slow of the mind". After chastising the father and his thuggish friends, Miss Swaffer arranges for a preacher to come and marry Amy and Yanko. Amy's father, however, retains his hatred for Amy whom he reveals to be in fact the child of his father, saying, "Not a tear. Bad you were conceived and bad you've remained."
After someone sets fire to Amy's cave, Miss Swaffer arranges for the cottage to be given to Amy and Yanko, who are soon married in church. Afterwards, they make love in the cave pool, with Yanko saying, "We are the lucky ones." Later that year they have a son, who is delivered by the doctor. Amy asks Yanko to show the child the sea, and he does, while the doctor looks on approvingly. Amy's new-found happiness, however, is soon cut short by the towns children who taunt her and call her a witch. When Yanko learns of this, he is angry and shares his feelings with Dr. Kennedy, who tries to console him. Believing he cannot leave because Amy has found a home in Cornwall, Yanko's greater concern is for his child and his future. Yanko tells the doctor, "I want him to be like you ... I want him to have the learning of great men. I want him to love the mystery of our universe." The doctor pledges to help his son.
One day Yanko becomes sick with a fever. Dr. Kennedy arrives and treats him, gives Amy medicine to give to Yanko, and urges her to stay with him while the doctor continues his rounds. Unfortunately, Yanko's condition worsens and he becomes delirious—seeing a vision of his sinking ship. Unable to understand what he's saying, Amy doesn't know what to do, and when Yanko loses control, Amy flees the cottage with the child in a rainstorm in search of help. Her first stop is at her parents' house, but her mother turns her away. On the road she stops a neighbor and pleads for help, but is also rejected. Finally, she makes it to the Swaffers' house, and Miss Swaffer agrees to watch the baby while Mr. Swaffer accompanies Amy back to her cottage. Meanwhile, Dr. Kennedy returns to the cottage and discovers Yanko lying on the floor near death. Shortly after, Amy arrives and takes her dying husband in her arms as he says, "I would change nothing, my love, my gold—we are the lucky ones."
In the coming weeks, Dr. Kennedy complains to Miss Swaffer about Amy not showing appropriate grief for her deceased husband. He wonders how she could wipe Yanko's memory from her mind so easily, but Miss Swaffer points out that the doctor has wiped from his memory his own ghosts of his dead wife and son. Soon after, Dr. Kennedy visits Amy and apologizes for wronging her, asks to be forgiven, and the two embrace. Amy declares, "I will love him until the end of the world." Dr. Kennedy concludes his story to Miss Swaffer saying, "He came across the world to love and be loved by Amy Foster."

Tags: flashback

Review:
The British have dedicated themselves lately to film their wonderful 19th century novels: Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, and have come now into the 20th for a Joseph Conrad short story  with a strong 19th century flavor.
And they are catering to the older audiences, those who care more for story values and literary qualities than for the display of technical advances in films.
Any one who cared for Sense and Sensibility, The Return of the Native and Persuasion, will have a real feast in Swept from the Sea. The Conrad story is beautiful, and the adaptation is intelligent.
A memorable musical score by John Barry, the breathtaking photography and the magnificent scenery are real assets for those who pursue an esthetic experience in the movies.
The look in his eyes near then end when he realizes that he was wrong about Weisz's character is filled with anguish and regret.
Basing himself on his own experiences roaming the wild and wide seas, where he even went through a shipwreck, his novels were on the one hand resounding novels of adventure, if not of the swashbuckler type, but backed up by that deeply rooted Russian philosophical sense of feelings and human emotions.
Today, among the best pieces of literature ever written in English, we have `Lord Jim' and `Nostromo', two gigantic tales with superb human and humane backgrounds.Simply watching a film based on a Joseph Conrad novel is not enough to reveal all the invisible, profound thoughts, the real human philosophy of life, how humans think and react under different situations.
Perhaps you should start with `Almayer's Folly' before embarking on the two previously mentioned masterpieces.However, `Swept from the Sea', based on his story `Amy Foster' does wonderfully well in not only showing the story, but also giving us a glimpse into the powerful thinking of Joseph Conrad.
Vincent Perez is not bad, even quite good at times; Rachel Weisz has made the job of her life in a highly concentrated reading, and the supporting cast like Ian McKellar and Kathy Bates is top-notch stuff.
The filming sequences on the Cornish coast in the deep south west of England, especially with the fog curling round the forelands and creeping up the inlets and into the harbours, or in the pouring rain, gives excellent ambientation to the telling of the story.
John Barry's musical apportation was the same as always, such that if I had closed my eyes I might well have been watching `Dances With Wolves' (qv); however it fitted in with the proceedings and the photography well enough.Filmed on the wild coastline of Cornwall, south-west England, now tamed by the August hordes of campers and footpathers, carvanners and English language learners; IMDb lists Pentire Point on the northern coastline, but I cannot help thinking that I saw some village streets such as in Mullion, Coverack or even Mousehole (pronounced "muzzle") on the south coast of that beautiful holidaying area of England.
The famous author John Le Carré also has his home down there.This is a film worth seeing, even for the most pedantic and enthusiastic readers of Conrad's novels such as I, precisely because I think Conrad himself would have been quite pleased with Ms. Kidron's work, with Tim Willocks' very correct adaptation for the screen.
The people lived on a stark and barren spit of land attached to a strikingly beautiful yet often-ferocious sea.
If you have felt like the outsider, ever tried to shut off your emotions in order to stop others from hurting you - you will have no trouble relating to the character of Amy Foster.
The acting was well done (I am not an expert at English dialects, although I'd say the accents were as adequately done as the actors who attempted the Newfie accent in The Shipping News).
Another example of these magical characters within this story is Miss Swaffer, played by Kathy Bates.
Its as if the people playing these character have a real love for the story, making them appear more than just two-dimensional figures, but real living breathing people..
I knew the cast was good, and in fact all the performances are first class, but the story and the scenery are equally inviting.
I rented this movie because I was trying to watch as many Rachel Weisz movies as possible (inspired by her acting in The Mummy Returns).
I think this movie is all about subtlety of character.
Even though Yanko learned to speak English, he also appreciated and learned to communicate in Amy's own language.
I liked Vincent Perez's acting in this movie.
I'd say this is probably the best acting I've seen out of Rachel Weisz in the five of her movies I've seen.
I don't know whether that is what the directors are looking for or if this is one of the few acting flaws that Ms. Weisz might yet overcome.
However, the most obvious and relevant point is that the language he is speaking in the film is Ukrainian, not Russian.
Beautiful, tragic love story.
Set in England, probably in the 1800s, this film deals not only with a beautiful love story, but with being an outsider--and the kind of ugly hatred some people exhibit towards those they consider different from themselves.
It also deals with blaming others and not accepting the responsibilities of your own faults.Yanko Gooral(played by gorgeous Vincent Perez) is a young man from the Ukraine, who, with some other young men from the Ukraine, decides to go to America.Amy Foster (played by beautiful Rachel Weisz) is a young Englishwoman, who works as a servant, and helps support her hateful parents and younger siblings.
Eventually we discover a shocking secret about Amy and her parents, that explains their warped bitterness.The ship Yanko is on is destroyed in a storm, flinging him up onto the coast of England; when he wanders ashore, he is at first treated like a lunatic by the fearful inhabitants.Unable to speak English, Yanko is unable to communicate with anyone and Amy is the only person who treats him with any human kindness.Eventually he is befriended by a Dr. Kennedy, and another family in the area, learns English, and his life seems to be becoming somewhat better.
In fact, the actions of the bigots lead indirectly to what finally happens to this young man.I didn't pick it up until almost the end of the movie, but in my opinion, there's a bit of an undercurrent of homo-eroticism in the doctor's feelings regarding Yanko--which ties in to the doctor's behavior towards Amy, and leads eventually to an unexpected scene between him and Amy at the conclusion of the film.10 stars.
The cinematography and the music in this film are wonderful, and there is a great supporting performance from Ian McKellan.
For me Vincent Perez' performance didn't work at all -- I couldn't see past his studied "wildness" and fake accent.
And Rachel Weisz, as Amy, is such an enigma that I didn't feel much for her except for a couple of intense scenes.
It was a bit confusing, though -- I wasn't sure  if we were supposed to think that Dr. Kennedy felt a homosexual love for Yanko (Perez).
It felt like a short story dragged out to feature length, which it was.
Not only is the geographical scenes breathtaking but so is the love story.
Its a simple love story that takes your heart away....The little cottage overlooking the mountains and water is amazing!
This indeed was one of the best love stories I have seen and would recommend it to anyone and everyone, I saw watch it with the one you love....and like every good story of love, there always is a sad ending.......
My only complaints being the occasionally sluggish pacing and the variable sound ranging from too loud to too quiet, this is a beautiful, tragic and haunting film based on an even more beautiful, tragic and haunting story.
The direction is very romantic but I never actually found it overblown or melodramatic, and the story does convey a range of emotions especially in the second half.
The scenery, sets, costumes and cinematography are meticulous, the score is stunning, the screenplay is honest and the acting from Rachel Weisz, Vincent Perez, Kathy Bates, Ian McKellen and Joss Ackland is spot on.
Overall, Swept from the Sea:The Story of Amy Foster is a beautiful, tragic and haunting story, that is worth seeing.
Amy Foster (Rachel Weisz) has a son and works for bedridden Miss Swaffer (Kathy Bates).
Some years earlier, Yanko Góral (Vincent Perez) from the Carpathian Mountains is on his way to America, the land of true gold.
Amy shows kindness to the foreigner who speaks no English.
Rachel Weisz shows her quiet sadness acting skills.
Good, solid movie.
First of all, let me explain that normally I would not even attempt to watch a movie like this.
His life turns a new chapter when he falls in love against all odds."Swept from the Sea" is definitely a beautiful and emotional film.
The second half of the film had so much emotions that captured me.
The relationship between different characters are inadequately introduced, so I was completely confused by the shocking revelation about Amy Foster's heritage.Overall, I enjoyed watching "Swept from the Sea"..
How can all these reviews here like this movie?
Lousy script too - did I watch the same movie?
This was like a bad silent movie.
the characters are so real and emotional that i couldnt stop myself from being sucked into the movie.
I, for one, think it is a sublime story about how two people can find comfort and security within each other while the outside world cannot accept them.I have heard one reviewer claim that if the character of Amy Foster was as beautiful as Rachel Weisz, absolutely no one would isolate her.
I think that is the bigger verdict for this film.Beautiful cinematography and sweeping natural romantic storytelling, accented by the superb acting talents of Ms. Weisz and "Queen Margot"'s Vincent Perez make this feature a breathtaking, underrated film..
A combination of a wonderful story, strong, interesting and attractive characters, and a very fine cast made this film a pleasant surprise for me.
My wife and I rented it, thinking it would be 'just another period drama' but wanting to see Rachel Weisz ...
then as we watched the opening credits, and saw in quick succession, 'Vincent Perez', 'Joss Ackland', 'Ian McKellen', 'Zoe Wanamaker' we knew we would be in for a treat!If you are a Rachel Weisz fan, this has to be her best film so far, and she certainly uses her interesting dark looks to better effect here than in Chain Reaction or the recent Beautiful Creatures.
Although her character is largely silent throughout this film, she has enormous screen presence, standing out even amongst this all-star cast.I won't comment too much on the plot, as I am sure it means different things to different people, but we enjoyed the humanity and liberal views of the doctor and the squire, and the contrast with the ingrained xenophobia of the working men - perhaps a bit trite, since this seemed to us un-Victorian and closer to what you might expect in the present day, but on the other hand maybe it was already in the Joseph Conrad story (I don't know, I haven't read it).Negative points:other users have commented on the cinematography; I found it rather flat, for example the weather never seemed to change (very un-British!) and I did not feel the crispness of the seaside atmosphere was captured.
The locations mostly looked to me like Yorkshire rather than Cornwall, and there were few long shots (usually difficult because there is an electricity pylon or other modern-day eyesore in the frame, but these problems can be overcome...)also the accents ...
Vincent Perez was particularly good, but Rachel Weisz was too well-spoken for a servant girl (does her accent ever change??) and none of the farmers or fishermen seemed to have a Cornish accent ...
Would watch this movie again and again!.
The filming, direction, acting, dialog, score, location and actors are all top-notch!
Not only was this movie a joy to watch, it kept me thinking about it for many days afterward.
"Swept from the Sea" ('Amy Foster') is my 4th or 3rd favorite film of all time.
The shortest way I can describe it is: "Amy" has a sad family secret which makes her the 'outcast' of the town.
Amy Foster feels for him as they are both living in their hard - outcast time and he falls for her.
If you do not feel for this film (these characters) you have no soul.
Post Script- Ian McKellan, Kathy Bates & Joss Acklund are fantastic in this movie..
Bandeman on June 20, 2001 wrote: "I'd say this is probably the best acting I've seen out of Rachel Weisz in the five of her movies I've seen.
However I notice that those expressions which I felt were so striking in this movie for this character are rather stereotyped expressions that she uses in general.
However I notice that those expressions which I felt were so striking in this movie for this character are rather stereotyped expressions that she uses in general.
I don't know whether that is what the directors are looking for or if this is one of the few acting flaws that Ms. Weisz might yet overcome." I want to say what I think about that because I have seen this situation many times in different actors and actress.
I think it's not only the directors or the character, but the casting.
I mean, they are often selected because the producers, directors or writers have seen them acting in a movie, specially who has a career, so, some expressions are used for the new character no matter the play is..
The movie was already half over but the scenery caught my eye   because the film looked as if it had been filmed in Ireland.
I was hooked immediately and have watched it a several times since.This film is worth the time--grab some popcorn and forget the rest of the world for a while.
Let me say, the technical standards in the picture are superb!The film is a simple story of love between 2 people.
Of course I don't want to spoil it for you, but it's quite an interesting take on the Amy Foster story.The film has plenty of high points: The photography is stunning, so beautiful, so amazing that you cannot take your eyes off the picture.
Wide-screen framing is an art in itself.The performances are very good, each one did their bit but I didn't think Weisz had enough in her character.The John Barry is superb but a little bit repetitive.
Really need variety.There are some points of the film which were not so good:There wasn't enough meet in some characters, Amy Foster didn't have enough depth.
I loved this film..
I loved this film..
I'd like to point out to the commentor from Puerto Rico that this film isn't only for adults.Teenagers can be mature, as well.
Although, I couldn't help but think every now and then that Mr. Perez's accent was a bit fake, the effort was there, and it was close enough.
So the effort was definitely there when it came to the accent.the cinematography was beautiful, and the music was captivating.
And even though it was a short story stretched to be feature length, it was a magical film.
Rachel Weisz is a good actress, and carries the role of Amy well, as I vaguely remember reading "Amy Foster" a couple of years ago.
Dr. Kennedy was played out magnificently, and I was sure that the pain and grief of losing the first you actually made a bond with since your entire family died was well played out.Kathy Bates carried her role with perfection, but she stills need to work on the accent.Only one draw-back to this entire film as I can see it; I couldn't spot one single genuine sounding Cornish accent.
I especially enjoyed the John Barry score and soundtrack for this movie.
Although I felt the plot was somewhat predictable, the music kept this movie interesting, and doing quite a bit of justice to the story with mood and feeling to the characters..
This is a very good movie, not to be missed!.
This movie is one of the best I've seen in years!
The acting is great, the photography is breathtakingly beautiful, the soundtrack is perfect - watch it, it's a must!.
I can say that I was not overly impressed with the plot, but if you are a John Barry (composer) film music fan, this will definitely be of interest to you.
I am not a film music expert by any means, and cannot give you a critical analysis of Mr. Barry's works in all orchestral themes, but I did enjoy the central theme and "sorrow-lows" if that's what I can call it.
Vincent Perez to me was an unknown, but now that I know who he is (the lead male actor) I've noticed him in a few other films, too.If you're expecting action, adventure, and secret twists in a plot, don't look here.
But if you are a John Barry film music fan, then I'm sure you'll enjoy this one..
This is such a beautiful movie.
This is such a beautiful movie.
I wish more romance movie were like this one.
I really don't watch a lot of romance movies but this one is worth watching.
I recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good clean romance movie..
I really liked that the plot explored more themes than just romantic love.
In regards to the type of story and the setting, I can't help but think that a three-part mini-series would have been a more appropriate treatment than a feature film.
I emerged from watching the movie with a feeling that there was a lot more to explore beneath the surface of each character.