Swept From the Sea gives the impression of being a lavish art movie, and at times it is. Set against a backdrop of stark Cornwall landscapes and pouring rain (note to self: cancel plans to emigrate to England), this film starts with all the promise of impending tradegy. And then it sets about building that tradegy, slowly and almost predictably.

The drama revolves around water - the moody sea and the rainforest-style cloudbursts. Amy, a housecleaner, is totally rejected by her parents, who blame their unhappy marriage on her premature conception. Considered backward, and with no one to love, she transfers her love to the sea, and almost develops a relationship with it, gracefully accepting all the gifts which the sea brings her. Water is pivotal to the story, even featuring on the honeymoon night.

One of these gifts is a shipwrecked young man on his way to America. From first glance, they are deeply attracted to each other. His first glance with other people however, usually was more problematic, as the closely-knit villagers closed ranks against the 'outsider'.

Except for some of the upper class, who, being better bred, recognised his good qualities and were more charitable. The couple develop their relationship, in spite of opposition from the villagers, and Amy's family.

The director seemed to delight in using strange camera angles for the sake of strange camera angles, and at times the images seemed unfocused. The performances were OK without being particularly outstanding. I found the film rather slow moving and at times bordering on boring. Perhaps it was done deliberately to mimic the slow rustic livestyle.