domtaylor
It's not exactly funny (I chuckled maybe twice), yet there's some fun to be had while watching this low-budget British comedy. Perhaps it's the cast full of famous British faces, who all try their best to add some energy to their blandly written and generic characters (Daniel Mays is a stand-out). Maybe it's due to the surprisingly solid direction by Oliver Parker, who adds a visual flair to the film and uses good editing and transitions to effectively tell the generic story. Possibly it's because of the original story (meaning the idea of a film about a group of male synchronised swimmers, and by no means the actual narrative which was completely predictable). I can't quite place my finger on why I didn't not like the film, but I can say with confidence that I had a fairly good time while watching and, while I will never watch it again, it was a good way to spend the afternoon. 6/10
Pjtaylor-96-138044
'Swimming With Men (2018)' isn't really all that funny and makes a number of missteps, mostly relating to the validity of its central 'struggle' and its overall resolution regarding everything other than its eponymous activity. These issues add to a general sense of banality, that is in itself only really reduced by the initial 'uniqueness' of the central conceit - one that soon becomes a very standard 'home away from home', self-discovery sort of scenario. There's also overall likability that makes even the most uninspired of moments seem somewhat worthy of watching (if only to give them the benefit of the doubt). The movie is never bad but it is never particularly good either, finding its footing as a suitably floaty and often pleasingly pleasant picture that fails to really drag you into the depths it simply doesn't have. It manages to usually be fairly enjoyable while it gives you glimpses of something just under the surface, though, something that adds this slight air of authenticity to its mostly realistic characters and mid-life crisis narrative. It's one that is pretty sad, almost dark, at its heart and ostensibly only uplifting because films of this kind essentially have to be (almost to the detriment of believability, in this case). However, I didn't expect much more and so I wasn't disappointed. 5/10
benpeyton
Poor old Rob Brydon's Eric is down on his luck. Stuck in a dead end job whilst his wife's political career is flourishing, he convinces himself she's having an affair. As his world begins to crumble around him he seeks solace from the one thing that provides him with a hint of comfort; swimming. In the pool he splashes upon an unusual group of men ranging from 20 to 70 who are also floundering in the deep end of life, but just so happen to be part of a synchronised swimming team. He joins them and together they examine their lives, assess what brought them to this point and find themselves unlikely entrants in the unofficial Men's World Synchronised Swimming Championships.It's a fairly unique basis for a story and one that doesn't quite manage to stay afloat despite the best efforts of an excellent cast.Rob Brydon's natural charm and excellent comic timing is the film's saving grace. Immensely likeable despite his oafish behaviour he does his best with a script which, sadly, doesn't match his considerable talents.There's a handful of laughs to be had along the way, but certainly not enough to make full use of the fine ensemble. They're all a fairly likeable bunch, but not explored enough. Their surfaces are barely scratched so it's hard to feel sorry for any of them, apart from Jim Carter's Ted.A weak love story between Charlotte Riley's Susan and Luke, played by Rupert Graves, isn't believable and certainly not one to root for given the circumstances of the breakdown in his marriage.Director Oliver Parker produces interesting shots, particularly in some of the underwater scenes, and there's a decent score from Charlie Mole accompanying the action.Swimming With Men is a film to watch on a wet Sunday afternoon that will pass 96 minutes, but one that you will probably forget as soon as the credits roll.
lesleyabloomer
Just been to the Premiere of this movie in Edinburgh. Went with deeply sceptical friend who was laughing out loud from about 15mins in. Great actors just having a ball with a really good script and lots of laughs.
AD
