I'm the first to admit when Madonna is bad in a film & she has released some stinkers (Shanghai Surprise) but this is far from her worst and there have been many, more commercially and critically accomplished actresses who've turned out worse films. Swept Away was passable and has some funny and touching moments. The problem is it's Madonna and most people come to a Madonna movie with pre-conceived notions that render them incapable of being objective.

First of all, I think MADONNA CAN ACT and to a good standard. Most of the films she has chosen to act in have not been the best scripts, but Madonna has done a decent job in each one of them, being sincere, natural and cute. Except this one. And i think I know what the problem is. Even I admit that Madonnas acting was not good in this one. And not just Madonnas. All people in this movie came across as amateur actors. But i think it is unfair to blame Madonna for it or for all of it. Actors always depend on the director and script writer. Has not anyone ever noticed how even A-list Hollywood actors at least in 50% of their films do a job that is mediocre and everyone has at least few films that are embarrassing? If the director is a visionary, had good rapport with the actors, has chosen the right actors etc, they do a stellar job.But with a different, mediocre, limited-minded director the same famous actors do a crappy job. It happens to everyone, but for some reason only Madonna gets ridiculed for it. But lets take another pop star, Justin Timberlake who also has done a number of acting jobs. In my opinion, most of the roles Timberlake has done are embarrassing and have amateurish quality. But somehow it has gone unnoticed. Because Timberlake is a man, perhaps? Double standards?I think the reason this movie went totally wrong for Madonna was that the director was her husband Guy Richie. In the history of film, it never has given any good results, being directed by or co-acting with your own husband or wife (or g friend/b friend). Most of such movies, involving famous actors have fallen flat.Like the movie Jennifer Lopez and Ben Afflek did together. Or Eyes Wide Shut (Kidman and Cruise). Etc. For some reason it does not work. Perhaps it is too close to home and off-work relationships get on the way. I think Madonna actually was a right sort of person for that role and I also liked the Giuseppe actor, they had good chemistry - but were badly scripted and directed. The original films remake with Madonna in title role would have been very interesting with a right director. Perhaps even Lina Wertmüller herself, she would have pulled the right "notes" out of the leading actors.But I understand why Madonna wanted to make this movie. Unfortunately, it seems her husband did not take it seriously at all and directed it in a typical British dude style, making a joke out of an interesting material. Madonna might be this, that and third, but so are most of famous people. But for some reason people simply love ridicule her for her acting. She had only one floppy acting job, so stop bashing her!

I want my money back, although I spent zero dollars to see this movie. Because after seeing this movie or the 15 minutes of the movie that I could stand before I had to turn it off; I felt cheated, like I had just purchased a defective product, and I would like to be reimbursed plus interest. Now, I realize that zero dollars typically accrues zero percent interest, but surely those 15 minutes of my life have a cash value; that's time out of my life I'll never get back and as I'm getting closer to the end of my life, surely we can base the interest off of how each moment of my life grows more precious as I approach the grave. I WILL ACCEPT A CHECK.

I think people are criticizing this movie so much for one reason only: because Madonna is in it. Most of these people probably haven't even seen this - or any other - Madonna movie, but it's somewhat trendy to say "Madonna can't act".I think she is not *that* bad an actress. Actually, Elisabeth Banks is the one who can't act. But Madonna gets the job done. I thought she was great in this. I have seen some of her movies, and didn't really like any of them, except for this one.I thought the whole "Giuseppe in charge" situation was a bit over the top (the situation itself, not the acting), especially when he assaults her, but, other than that, it's a thoroughly enjoyable movie.If nothing else, it's worth seeing just for the scenery, and, for me, the gorgeous and charismatic Jeanne Tripplehorn, who, in my opinion, is majorly underrated as an actress.