The glimpses we get of this profoundly dysfunctional and violence ridden family are just that, as if viewed vaguely from a nosy neighbor's window.
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03/26/07
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Swimming Upstream (2005)
61 %
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Reviews Counted: 38
Fresh: 23
Rotten:15
Average Rating: 5.7/10
Theatrical Release: Feb 4, 2005 Limited
Synopsis: SWIMMING UPSTREAM is an inspiring drama that tells the true story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton (Jess Spencer), who rose above his deeply troubled home life in order to become a national champion in 1950s Brisbane. Consistently... [More]
Starring: Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis, Tim Draxyl, Jesse Spencer
Director: Russell Mulcahy
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Reviews for Swimming Upstream
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09/23/06
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09/26/05
A moving drama that’s ultimately worth seeing for the performances of Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davis, even if you feel that you haven’t quite heard the full story.
06/11/05
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06/10/05
It'll not be remembered for the ages, but it succeeds in avoiding biopic pitfalls that have succumbed some of the best, and that's good enough to make it worth a look.
05/30/05
Leave it to Mulcahy to screw everything up with an overwrought, MTV-ready visual style that obscures any dramatic heft.
02/27/05
...sticks closely to a formula that no longer holds many surprises, and leads to a message that isn't particularly novel or satisfying.
02/23/05
In addition to the pure drama of this story, it's the performances that make the film so compelling.
02/16/05
Basically, this is a fairly run-of-the-mill story of family dysfunction with a sports twist.
02/10/05
The story isn't unusual or compelling enough to make a lasting impression.
02/10/05
Top Critic Powerhouse Australian drama...a two-hour dip into the deep end of family life.
02/10/05
The audience develops a growing disconnect between the two stories of Tony the swimmer and Tony the son, lessening the impact of the overall film.
02/08/05
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.
02/05/05
Top Critic Anchored by a rare emotional perspicacity and true, non-fussy performances...
02/04/05
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.
02/04/05
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