Your Company
 

Swimming with Men

✭ ✭   Read critic reviews

United Kingdom · 2018
1h 34m
Director Oliver Parker
Starring Rob Brydon, Rupert Graves, Jim Carter, Daniel Mays
Genre Comedy, Drama

A man who is suffering a mid-life crisis finds new meaning in his life as part of an all-male, middle-aged, amateur synchronised swimming team.

Stream Swimming with Men

What are people saying?

What are critics saying?

40

Empire by

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.

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

Movie Nation by Roger Moore

“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.

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 Telegraph by Tim Robey

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.

Users who liked this film also liked