Swimming Upstream2004
Swimming Upstream (2004)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Led by strong work from Judy Davis and Geoffrey Rush, Swimming Upstream tells its familiar story with just enough conviction to earn the audience's attention.
Swimming Upstream Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Harold Fingleton
as Dora Fingleton
as Tony Fingleton
as John Fingleton
as Harold Fingleton Jr
as Ronald Fingleton
as Diane Fingleton
as Billie
as Tommy
as Young Tony
as Young John
as Young Harold Jr.
as Young Ronald
as Young Diane
as Mack
as Dawn Fraser
as Dawn Fraser's coach
as Murray Rose
as Reporter
Critic Reviews for Swimming Upstream
All Critics (38) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (23) | Rotten (15) | DVD (5)
Basically, this is a fairly run-of-the-mill story of family dysfunction with a sports twist.
The story isn't unusual or compelling enough to make a lasting impression.
Good as Rush and Davis are as combative working-class parents Harold and Dora, their story line overpowers the drippy dramatics of their teen athlete son. It unwittingly feels like two separate movies.
Makes you sit up and take notice, if only for the fine performances of the terrific Judy Davis as his abused mother and Geoffrey Rush as his bitter, angry dad.
The grim material isn't helped by the hackneyed direction of Russell Mulcahy, a music-video veteran.
Ends up merely treading water.
Audience Reviews for Swimming Upstream
Swimming Upstream. Beautifully acted, but filmed with restraint. When I say filmed with restraint, I'm referring to Swimming Upstream's underselling of itself. At times this is its weakness, while other times it's a strength. In the extremely dramatic scenes involving the family's troubles, the emotion is very raw and honest without being flashy and soap-opera-ish. While it was fun to see Jesse Spencer out of his role on House (for real, great performance), the obvious shining light was Geoffrey Rush (who won an Oscar for Shine, see what I did there?). I'm surprised he wasn't nominated for this, because he steals the show in every single scene. Even when you're supposed to be thinking about Spencer's emotional battle, you're putting every ounce of effort into reading Rush's subtle blank stare. They even threw in a couple of random impressively artsy cinametographical (not a word) tricks, like filming the kitchen fight from underneath through a glass floor... looked awesome. The split screen swim meets worked well also, a bit strange at times, but a good fit. Why 80%? Because the juxtaposition of the swimming storyline with the family turmoil was great, as well as the performances. A well-crafted movie for an inspiring story. Extra: An ode to Geoffrey Rush... Your disgusting jaw compelling so, The way you ramble to and fro. The nasty wrinkles of your cheek, I only imagine how you reek. Unkempt hair, skin not so fair, Your gangly arms are hard to bare. Yet still I watch on the edge of my seat, Cuz your performances can't be beat.
Super Reviewer
(2004 Director: Russell Mulcahy) Based on a sad true story de Anthony Fingleton. Hard-working father ( ) taunts his 3 sons due to his own misguided idea that only physical strength matters. [more review to follow] (2004 Directeur : Russell Mulcahy) fondé sur une vraie histoire triste de l'Anthony Fingleton.. Le père qui dur-travaillant () accable de sarcasmes ses 3 fils en raison de sa propre idée dévoyée que la force seulement physique a d'importance. [plus de revue pour suivre]
Super Reviewer
he story of a young man's struggle to gain his fathers love and approval. As the most sensitive and brightest boy of a very large family, Tony tries to please his macho father who appears to be unimpressed by his academic prowess and only accepts sporting triumph as sucess. Based-on-a-real-life film with stunning pool filming and good looking actors. Swimmers will understand the pull that the pool has on Tony as he copes with his difficult life. An inspiration to get back into serious swimming.
Super Reviewer
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