Watch Swimming for Gold

Swimming for Gold is a 2020 family drama movie directed by Hayley MacFarlane and starring Peyton List, Lauren Esposito, and Daniel Needs. The movie follows Claire Carpenter, a 16-year-old American swimmer, as she moves to Australia with her family and reluctantly joins a new swim team. As soon as Claire arrives in Australia, she immediately clashes with her new coach, a tough and demanding man named Bridgette. Bridgette expects nothing but the best from her swimmers and shows little tolerance for anything other than 100% dedication. Claire is a gifted swimmer, but she doesn't feel comfortable in this new environment and misses her old team and her friends back home.

Despite her misgivings, Claire starts training with her new team, the Barracudas, and begins to make friends with some of the other swimmers, particularly Skyler and Jake. She also catches the eye of a local surfing champion, Todd, who becomes a romantic interest for Claire. They start spending time together, and Todd takes her surfing and shows her around the beaches of Australia.

As the story progresses, Claire begins to realize that she has more in common with her new team than she initially thought. She learns that they all come from different backgrounds but share a passion for swimming. Claire also discovers that her new coach, Bridgette, had once been an Olympic swimmer who had lost her chance at gold due to an injury. Bridgette's tough approach to coaching is motivated by her own intense regrets, and Claire begins to have more respect for her coach as she learns more about Bridgette's past.

Throughout the movie, there are several touching scenes that show the emotional impact of swimming on the characters' lives. Claire struggles with homesickness and the pressure to keep up with the standards of her new team, while Skyler and Jake face personal challenges that affect their ability to perform in the pool. Swimming for Gold also does an excellent job of highlighting the sacrifices that young athletes make in pursuit of their dreams.

The movie has several standout performances, particularly from Peyton List, who brings a depth to her portrayal of Claire and makes her a relatable and likable main character. Lauren Esposito is also excellent as Skyler, a confident and talented swimmer who hides a painful secret. Daniel Needs brings a nuanced performance as Todd, the charismatic surfer who shows Claire around and helps her find her feet in a new country.

Overall, Swimming for Gold is an engaging and well-paced movie that balances sport, romance, and drama perfectly. The movie is a relatable and wholesome family film with an uplifting message about friendship and the power of teamwork. With its inspirational message and heartwarming moments, Swimming for Gold is sure to be enjoyed by viewers of all ages.

Swimming for Gold is a 2020 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.