brimon28
This writer tries to avoid comparing the film with the book, They are totally different media. I've never before referred to other posts on this site. This time I have to break both rules.This film is effectively a sequel to the memoir 'Surviving Maggie', John Fingleton's tale of his dysfunctional family, and their violent, alcoholic mother. Yes, John's grandmother. The slant here is that of 'Once were Warriors', the great little movie from New Zealand, which was based on the experiences of a violent mother. In 'Warriors' the violent one becomes the father. The victim in John's memoir is Harold, played here by Geoffrey Rush, who has been turned into a violent alcoholic. Why authors do this, I do not know. What I do have to ask is: Is this a good movie, in itself? Now, the other posts. It is obvious that the American cut is different than the Australian version. Correction: The DVD is different. It would seem that at 'live' showings in the USA, there was a Q & A. Parts of this appear as part of the DVD version.So, what about the movie? It's a good story, well acted. Judy Davis does the oppressed woman very well. So well, that it indicates some bravery on her part taking these roles. The invariably competent Geoffrey Rush is an excellent drunk. I suppose most of us have met his like. The camera work is fine, but the sound (all that splashing water!) is not good.For the social psychologist, this is an interesting rendition of the effect of inherited characteristics through three generations. It is likely that more people have read 'Surviving Maggie' than have viewed 'Swimming Upstream'. I usually refrain from suggesting that people take in both the film and the book. In this case, You might enjoy both. There's a six-months wait for the book at my local library!
hanster22795
Swimming Upsteam was a wonderful movie mainly about two brothers, named Tony and John, and their alcoholic father Hereld. The boys as kids were best friends very close in their relationship. Tony (the main character) as a kid wasn't good in any sports and never had a real connection and good relationship with his father, because his father favored his kids gifted in sports, such as Johns and Tony's older brother Herald JR (he was gifted in football and boxing). One day their father came with them to their normal hang out place, the pool. there Herald found John and Tony's meant to be sport, swimming. They started training the next day at 6 in the morning, for a long time that is what they did day after day. Then they had their first meet. Johns event was first, before Tony's. both of them won first in their event, yet Johns picture went on the wall not Tonys. For years and years training and winning is what happened. After years the training, competition and their trainer a.k.a their dad set these two brothers apart in rivalry and almost hatred.As a swimmer, I found this movie very entertaining and cannot understand how a normal person can find this movie bad and not entertaining. If you find this movie boring I would suggest either research on the characters (because this is based on a true story), watching the movie again and listen to the details and the cool Australian accent or start the sport of swimming. I highly recommend this movie even if your not interested in sports or swimming, because overall it is a good movie.
poison_ivy_rache
Wow, I thought this movie was awesome. Seeing as though this was the first role I had seen Jesse Spencer in since his more juvenile role in Neighbours, this movie hit me hard. THis movie was surprisingly refreshing as I am so caught up in the 'box office smashes' I don't usually feel a message being portrayed through movies so strongly. I'm not saying that the hit movies don't portray meaningful messages, its just that this one hit me hard. What made it even more enjoyable was to see how this Australian movie (I think it was based in Brisbane, I'm not sure) had been successful overseas. Overall, I thought it was a fantastic movie portraying the hardships of life.
leah-67
Set in Brisbane in the 1950s, it focuses on the true story of champion swimmer Anthony Fingleton, and the struggle he faced from his own family. His father was an alcoholic, controlling bully, and young Tony suffered for being his mother's favorite and not being tough enough in his father's eyes. Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davis are superb as the volatile parents. Jesse Spencer is suitable angelic and upstanding as the family underdog and champion in waiting. The director Russell Mulcahy built the tension throughout by holding back on the domestic violence until three quarters of the way through. This produced a sense of unease, you knew what was going on behind closed doors without seeing it and it lead, IMO, to a much more empathic experience. When the physical fight scenes came, Mulcahy had a nifty trick of shooting from underneath as if the kitchen floor was transparent. A refreshing approach, for what could be perceived to be a tired kitchen sink style drama.
AD
