Review of The Swimmer (1968) by Twins S — 05 Nov 2013

"The Swimmer" is a movie we have never heard of, only luckily recommended by a good friend.

Watched it without knowing anything we found ourselves immersing minute by minute into this original story, (swimming home going through neighbours' pools) of this complex character.. Ned Merrill (played fantastically by Burt Lancaster).

The movie strikingly looks dated, (the music with that swell talk all around..you know..) but the topic is ever fresh. The tracing of one's memories, psyche and identity through confrontation with people, nature and ultimately oneself in the movie triggered by an odd urge to swim "home".

Wonderful acted by at that time 52 years old Lancaster, who really shapes a complex character which in the surface is loveable and easygoing but also unintentionally arrogant, deluded and at times pathetic.

A memorable film told with an exceptional storytelling and some technically demanding beautiful shots.

An allegory for the good or bad American Dream where the friendly social human relations can turn suddenly bad leaving you a wondrous loner if you do not comply into the so coded high class society.

A personal note:

Even if more than 30 years old...Some of the dialogues are very present-day, like when in a quite interesting scene the thematic of computer match dating is raised...

We are talking about a movie shot in 66 that exhibits a conscious mind ahead of its time and more even impressively up to ours.

Overall you will enjoy this film..no doubts it is very unique. The plot presets many pieces of a huge puzzle that will be revealed to the attentive audience only at the end.

"The swimmer" A journey of a man, who has never opened his mind to the reality around him and lived through his own perception of reality ending into a neurological nightmare.

When you talk about "The Swimmer" will you talk about yourself?

A masterpiece.