Growing up in Brisbane, Australia, in the 1950s, Tony Fingleton was the second of five children born to an alcoholic stevedore and his long-suffering wife. Times were tough for the family, especially for poor Tony. He was bullied by his older brother and belittled by his father, who withheld his love and approval — even when Tony showed promise as a swimmer, and even when he became a champion in backstroke. For Tony, his life as a youth was all about Swimming Upstream.
That’s the title of a book written by Fingleton and his sister, Diane, and of the film now out in theaters.
It is, undeniably, an inspiring story of triumph over adversity, of the unquenchable human spirit. Yet, the film is not as powerful as it could have been.
Geoffrey Rush brings his considerable game to the role of patriarch Harold Fingleton, a proud, tortured man whose abuse of his family is both physical and emotional. And Judy Davis is excellent as his wife, Dora, whose decency and strength form the backbone of the family.
Dora can only stand by and offer moral support as Harold first rejects the young, piano-playing Tony, then pits Tony against his younger brother John (Tim Draxl) in the swimming pool. But Tony will not be deterred from his dream. He perseveres, eventually winning a silver medal at the Empire Games in 1962. Swimming, for Tony, literally becomes a means of maneuvering his way to a better life. It’s a well-deserved happy ending for this young man.
But as scriptwriter, Fingleton seems too afraid to let the action speak for itself; he insists on adding narration that spells out all the messages, as if the audience can’t get it otherwise. This is especially grating in a sappy end-of-film montage. Fingleton also portrays himself, as embodied by appealing young actor Jesse Spencer (Uptown Girls), as a virtual saint. Tony takes his father’s considerable abuse with acceptance and grace, using the cruel rejection as an incentive to excel at swimming. “This is for you, Dad,” he says, holding out a gold medal in yet another futile attempt to connect.
Director Russell Mulcahy (Highlander films) also gets in the way of this simple story. To be sure, there are some truly lovely moments, such as an underwater celebration of childhood and solidarity between the five siblings. And the swim-meet scenes are nicely enhanced with a pounding, percussive soundtrack and ingenious split-screen effects. However, the film also is filled with arty camera tricks meant to heighten a scene’s emotional impact, but which mostly call attention to them in a distracting way.
Tracy Allerton can be reached at or 954-356-4892.
* * * (OUT OF FOUR) SWIMMING UPSTREAM
An Australian teen beats the odds to become a champion swimmer.
With Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis. Directed by Russell Mulcahy.
Paradise 24, 15601 Sheridan St., Davie; Aventura 24, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura.
Running time: 95 minutes.
Rated PG-13: Alcoholism, domestic abuse.
