Swimming (2000)

74% of critics liked it
(39 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(1,116 ratings)

Robert J. Siegel directs this understated exploration of love, sexuality and friendship. Set during the opening of the summer vacation season at Myrtle Beach, the film focuses on Frankie (Lauren Ambrose), a quiet, introverted girl who works with her brother Neil (Josh Pais) at the family's burger… More Robert J. Siegel directs this understated exploration of love, sexuality and friendship. Set during the opening of the summer vacation season at Myrtle Beach, the film focuses on Frankie (Lauren Ambrose), a quiet, introverted girl who works with her brother Neil (Josh Pais) at the family's burger joint. Frankie's best friend is the trash-talking Nicola (Jennifer Dundas Lowe), who runs the body-piercing hut next door. When Neil hires the gorgeous Josee (Joelle Carter) as a waitress, Nicola can barely conceal her jealousy, while Frankie is utterly mesmerized by the nubile beauty. Later, a goofy but sweet drifter named Heath (Jamie Harrold) arrives in town, selling T-shirts from the back of his van. He instantly finds himself attracted to Frankie, ignoring both Nicola and Josee. This film was screened at the 2000 Rotterdam Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Robert J. Siegel
Written By: Lisa Bazadona, Robert J. Siegel, Grace Woodard
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Jun 3, 2003
Studio: Oceanside Pictures

Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
The film is an earnest try at beachcombing verismo, but it would be even more indistinct than it is were it not for the striking, quietly vulnerable personality of Ms. Ambrose.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
The town has kind of an authentic feel, but each one of these people stand out and everybody else is in the background and it just seems manufactured to me and artificial.
John Anderson, Newsday
Swimming isn't a major film. Nor does it try to be. But what, in the end, is a major film? If it's one that accomplishes what it sets out to do, then we ought to correct ourselves.
Dave Kehr, New York Times
An unusually dry-eyed, even analytical approach to material that is generally played for maximum moisture.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Swimming is above all about a young woman's face, and by casting an actress whose face projects that woman's doubts and yearnings, it succeeds.
Megan Turner, New York Post
A refreshingly authentic coming-of-age tale.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The anti-touristy mood of Siegel's film sets it apart from other less thoughtful teen beach flicks.
Merle Bertrand, Film Threat
[Siegal] proves that you don't have to be a just out of film school Gen-X'er to make a resonant and entertaining movie about young adults.
Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan
Flawed, but worth seeing for Ambrose's performance.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
Unlike most teen flicks, Swimming takes its time to tell its story, casts mostly little-known performers in key roles, and introduces some intriguing ambiguity.
Pete Croatto, Filmcritic.com
Though the material sounds complex and potentially sleep-inducing, director Robert J. Siegel paints his portrait of boredom and discontent with deft strokes.
John Hartl, Seattle Times
A gracefully acted, unsentimental, quite likable little coming-of-age movie.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel P

Three things, to me, elevate this movie to five-star excellence. The first is the brilliance and relateability of Lauren Ambrose's exceptional performance. She can project five emotions just through a facial expression. The second, is the simplicity of the story, and its realism.… More
Three things, to me, elevate this movie to five-star excellence. The first is the brilliance and relateability of Lauren Ambrose's exceptional performance. She can project five emotions just through a facial expression. The second, is the simplicity of the story, and its realism. And the third is perhaps more personal; one scene features the Leona Naess song "Comatised" - one of my faves of all time!