Swimmers

Watch Swimmers

  • NR
  • 2005
  • 6.3  (460)

Swimmers, released in 2005, is a coming-of-age drama film that revolves around the lives of a dysfunctional family living in suburban Connecticut. This emotional story is about a family who is trying to find their way through the turmoil of loss, grief, and love. The movie revolves around the character of Frankie Wheeler (played by Tara Devon Gallagher), a young girl who is experiencing a loss. She lost her mother to cancer, and now that she’s gone, Frankie's world feels incomplete. Her father, Richard Wheeler (played by Robert Knott), is an emotionally distant man who is trying to cope with his own grief. Frankie is left with her older sister, Kate Gunn (played by Sarah Paulson), who is struggling to find her own identity.

Kate is a swimmer and trying to make it to the Olympics, while Frankie is trying to find her place in the world by exploring her sexuality. Their father is a funeral director, and takes care of everything from caskets to flowers. Frankie works with him, and while working, she meets a young man named Josee (played by Sean Maher), who is a gardener. Frankie falls for him, and his presence in her life provides a sense of calm which was not there before.

The stunning visuals of swimming pools and underwater scenes create a sense of calmness that is a contrast to the tumultuous emotions of the characters. The director, Doug Sadler, uses water as a motif to represent the challenges of life. As the characters swim through the water, the camera follows them closely, allowing audiences to see them from different angles.

The heart of the movie is about family relationships, and how they evolve and change in the face of loss. Kate is struggling with her own grief, and is trying to escape through her swimming. She is stubborn and headstrong, refusing to let anyone get in her way. Frankie is struggling with the loss of her mother, and her own identity. She is trying to find herself in a world that she feels is closing in on her. Their father, Richard, is living in his own world of pain and sadness, trying to hold everything together.

Through their own ways of dealing with grief, the characters come to realize that life is fragile and fleeting. They come to appreciate each other more and come to accept that they need each other. They realize that they are the only people who can provide the support they need.

The performances of the actors in the movie are phenomenal. Tara Devon Gallagher, in her debut role, brings a sense of honesty and vulnerability to her character Frankie, and makes her the heart of the story. Sarah Paulson gives a stunning performance as the stubborn and determined Kate. Robert Knott delivers a nuanced portrayal of a man who is struggling to hold his family together.

The cinematography of the movie is captivating, with stunning shots of swimming pools and underwater scenes. Doug Sadler’s direction is masterful, as he creates a sense of intimacy and connection with his characters.

Overall, Swimmers is a hauntingly beautiful movie about family, grief, and love. It is a movie that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human, and the importance of family and the connections that we make throughout our lives. It is a movie that will stay with you long after it’s over.

Swimmers doesn't appear to be available from any streaming services.
Add this movie to your Watchlist to get notified when it's available.
Description
  • Release Date
    2005
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.3  (460)
Watch all of
Do you have Hulu?
Ad Info - This movie may not be available on Hulu
No thanks, I'm not interested in Hulu