40
Despite a strong cast, promising premise and a timely attempt to explore male neurosis, Swimming With Men is let down by slight characterisation, by-the-numbers plotting and heavy-handed jokes that desperately need arm bands.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
30
The Hollywood Reporter by Frank Scheck
Aiming for charm but instead coming across as hopelessly forced, Swimming With Men barely manages to stay afloat.
30
Los Angeles Times by Michael Rechtshaffen
Oliver Parker’s Swimming with Men is a lazily formulaic male-bonding comedy.
60
The Guardian by Peter Bradshaw
This film floats, but, like a synchro-swimmer doing the “egg beater” leg movement, it needs a fair bit of strenuous activity to keep it upright.
75
“Swimming” wears its “Full Monty” ambitions (it isn’t on that level, but its funny enough) on its trunks, with the flippant banter and blend of melancholy sentimentality and sight gag silliness. It even uses a Tom Jones anthem for its “big finish.” Yeah, there’s an “informal world championships” for men who do this. No, seriously.
50
RogerEbert.com by Sheila O'Malley
A gentle low-key comedy.
40
The Observer (UK) by Simran Hans
Based on the true story of a group of Swedish men who competed in the synchronised swimming world championship, Swimming With Men is reminiscent of The Full Monty, its feelgood climax landing with a welcome, if gentle, splash.
60
The New York Times by Teo Bugbee
Although the film has no grand cinematic ambitions, its unsensationalized focus on these aging bodies invites welcome kindness.
60
From top to bottom, it’s Brydon’s film, and his performance matches the modesty of the surroundings: rarely pushing too hard, he finds just the right groove as a browbeaten Everyman lacking spring in his step (or dash in his breaststroke).
50
Screen International by Wendy Ide
This latest in the ‘personal growth through gentle humiliation’ genre is amiable enough, but does suffer from the over-familiarity of themes and plot-points.