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This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

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!

In the 1980's there was a long series of Australian films shown on British television - BBC2. After a long diet of Hollywood rubbish it was simply marvellous to see one excellent film after another. The films were mainly funded by public money and i suspect that there are few other countries were the public funding of a film industry has produced such a rich output of world standard. Certainly not in the UK where our native film industry is almost constantly swamped by Hollywood formula movies that dumb down the intelligence of audiences worldwide. in the UK just an occasional Brit's funded classic emerges from the mire. Swimming Upstream is a worthy successor to the Australian films of that early period and i commend it for your viewing without exception.It is the finest performance amongst many for Judy Davis. Geoffrey Rush is utterly convincing as the hard drinking hard thinking Australian father of two sons both with swimming ability. It is an open indictment of the traditional hard edged primeval machismo of Australian male society yet not without understanding and sympathy of that dog breeds dog condition. male brutality breeding male brutality goes hand in hand with indications of the impact of job insecurity and the poverty of families that result from such circumstances. This movie is an inspirational beacon of how sport and in this case swimming in particular can provide a release from such pressures. For some perhaps even a road to freedom and a sense of personal worth thus helping to breech the cycle of brutality associated with traditional male behaviour in Australia. Australia is still a world class producer of thinking mans cinema.

What should be a riveting and poignant family in crisis drama is ruined by the performances of the two most famous lead actors: Geoffrey Rush gnawing away and shouting his lines, and Judy Davis in half despair/screwed up face mode....all the fault of TV commercial schlock B pic director Russell Mulcahy. The performances of the kids are excellent and the set design, art direction and period detail, all perfectly photographed, have survived the heavy handed treatment...it is the TV level performances for the parent roles that become more than tiresome. Not to detract from what must have been a tough childhood, the story of this swimming family, the Fingleton's, is no doubt wrought in slapping and soaked in alcohol. Perhaps lesser known but equally talented leads would have been more satisfying and believable than the kitchen sink pantomime from Rush and Davis. I agree they are great actors but they are not in this film. The film was not a success and word of mouth was poor. Tim Draxl, Oz boy cabaret singer by night is one of the better performers in the pool in this one. The lame 80s lifesaver race pic COOLANGATTA GOLD covered the same territory, pestering brute dad playing favorites'n'all. Blame Mulcahey and his HIGHLANDER- RAZORBACK past for Swimming Upstream drying up.

Swimming Upstream is not a typical macho sporting flick - you will be forced to think. The movie will effect all your senses and may expose skeletons from the cupboard, normally remained locked away for years and years.The capturing of the intense Queensland light, searing heat and crystal clear water is set against the contrast of the struggle of the family members.Disregard the sport and the period the film portrays and relate the same story to your own or other's family relationships - the story is all too close to home.