Review of The Swimmer (1968) by Steve P — 23 Nov 2007
A tribute to Burt Lancaster's leviathantic testicles, and a sometimes-fascinating character study, based on a short story by John Cheever. Obviously, the execs at the studio were away on a Encounter Weekend when this got green lit.
Flawed? Yes. It's ponderous at times - well, a lot - and the ending doesn't live up to the build-up. But, frankly, I'll take that over, say, some blockbuster drivel any day. Lancaster was never as good an actor as he - and we - thought he was.
But, God, was he a Movie Star - and a man who made consistently dangerous, gutsy choices with his material. Those in the film business today who pontificate about what wild risks they are taking, obviously have not seen this.
This review of The Swimmer (1968) was written by Steve P on 23 Nov 2007.
The Swimmer has generally received very positive reviews.
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