Swimming to Cambodia

The most spellbinding 87-minute monologue ever. Still sound uninteresting? Read on. Yes, Spaulding Gray is seated at a desk in a theater with only a microphone, a notebook and a glass of water, and yes, he stays put and talks for the entire length of the film. But my friends, he weaves a tale that will haunt you, a tale at once both hilarious and tragic, pathetic and profound.Recounting his experiences as an actor playing a small role in Roland Joffe's war drama The Killing Fields, Spaulding Gray invites you so deeply into both South East Asia and his psyche that you feel you too have tried the hash and magic mushrooms and become the "wandering bachelor mendicant poet," witnessing each story he spins before you. Originally performed as an Obie-winning one man show Off-Broadway, the film was nominated for several Independent Spirit awards, including Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Male Lead.Spaulding seems to dance between topics as diverse and far ranging as dealing with neighbors in Boston and New York City, sexual tourism in Thailand, hanging out in the Amtrak lounge car ("one big rolling confessional"),overcoming a swimming phobia in the Indian Ocean and "the worst auto-homeo genocide in modern history." Balancing neurotic self-indulgence with razor-sharp self-awareness and a keen sense of both the absurdity and profundity of all he encounters, seems a mathematical impossibility, but it is just that high-wire act that makes the film extraordinary.It is heartbreaking that Swimming to Cambodia is currently out of print. If you haven't yet seen it, or if you have but don't own it yet, you'd better get your copy quickly. I've got mine.

I saw Spalding Gray perform this live in San Francisco and it became part of my life forever.

This is a readable enough book, but those seeking new and interesting inforamtion about Cambodia in the time period with which this book is concerned will not be particularly fullfilled.

For those not familiar with Spalding Gray, he was a theatric artist and story teller of the highest calibre. While he may be gone and saddly so, this is a rare opportunity to visit back to the off Broadway delights, often found in days past amongst the New York Village beat. It is a story of adventure and self awareness, with an ambitious live performance captured for the DVD viewer. While is would never compare to the being in the theater seats, it is a work of art of perfection, by an complicated man. It is his true account, told by his own interpretation. It is inspiring and tragic, as his story can transend one's perspective of our path in the world and what we can do with it, yet told by a bard no longer with us.

Yes, it is a documentary and, yes, it is a monologue. Yes, he discusses the sex trade in Cambodia which is extemely explicit. But this is about Cambodia. This is about the Killing Fields. This is about our involvement in that history. There is nothing gratuitous. Gray is captivating as he sits on a darkened stage with his words and topics accented with strategic lighting, maps, sounds and video clips. You will leave this film with a new understanding of what happened from Cambodia to Kent State. He also has a unique insight into mankind. In this, his "Talking Cure", you will be compelled to try to answer the question that he wrestles with - 'Is morality a moving feast?'. This is an important film.

Reading this book again al brought back memories of the live performances I was fortuneate enough to attend in the early 80's. It is still a page turner or finger swiper as the case may be. Also got me through the current US election.

This performer has an incredible gifts of memory, intelligence, performance, expression, introspection, and interpretation. I can't believe I have found so much joy in my own life with so few of these...but I am grateful for them. I am sure he has his own challenges.

Waited oalmost a month, and it did not work.

he weaves you through a labyrinth of the story layered upon story with lightfooted dexterity. I only wish he wrote more or said more - didn't want to stop fantastic

Perfekt Bestellung, Buch ist in super Zustand. Sehr Interessante Geschichte - ich bin bald aus Kambodscha gekommen, und habe dieses Buch sofort gesucht.

One of the most innovative, exciting movies of a generation, and NOT AVAILABLE in widescreen.Demi is a cinamatograhic master and his work has been butchered by VHS full screen format. ('Full' of what, one wonders.)Watch this tape and see half the movie as created. DEMAND your DVD release now.

Excellent storytelling from Spalding Gray. Props really added atmosphere to his magnetic monologue. It helps to have seen The Killing Fields because a lot of this act hinges on his experiences in the making of the movie along with his interesting extra curricular activities. There is also a book Sideshow which fits perfectly with the movie and monologue. It exposes the Nixon / Kissinger policy on the bombing of Cambodia along it's border with Vietnam. Because the bombing was illegal it was referred to as the sideshow (allegedly).

Gray was a superlative writer, raconteur