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The Swimmer

Play trailer Poster for The Swimmer Released Oct 7, 2022 1h 25m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Erez, a rising star in the Israeli swimming scene, arrives at a godforsaken training camp held in a boarding school, where the one to win the competition gets a ticket to the Olympics. There he meets the beautiful and talented Nevo, who awakens subconscious desires in him. However, their swimming coach does not believe in friendship between competitors. Warned to stay away from Nevo, Erez is still too attracted to him. In between practices, he attempts to act upon his feelings and understands that winning a medal is less important than winning Nevo's heart.

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The Swimmer

Critics Reviews

View All (13) Critics Reviews
Carlos Aguilar Los Angeles Times Five chiseled male bodies race with vigorous agility in “The Swimmer,” a brightly colored and cleverly erotic queer sports drama. Oct 14, 2022 Full Review Elizabeth Weitzman TheWrap The movie keeps us guessing, as cinematographer Ofer Inov shows off particularly impressive skills with so many deft fluctuations in tenor. Oct 6, 2022 Full Review Kyle Turner New York Times “The Swimmer” distinguishes itself from other L.G.B.T.Q. sports dramas less in what the story is and more in how it’s told. Oct 6, 2022 Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru A tender, heartfelt and delightful coming-of-age story. Oct 8, 2022 Full Review Gary M. Kramer Gay City News There are waves of homoeroticism and a strong gay undercurrent in “The Swimmer,” writer/director Adam Kalderon’s intense, arty drama about Israeli Olympic hopefuls.... [A] beguiling film Oct 7, 2022 Full Review Steven Warner In Review Online The Swimmer isn’t so much a movie as an 80-minute excuse to show ripped men in as little clothing as possible. Oct 5, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (6) audience reviews
Adam Overall a very touching and heartfelt film about the sacrifice it takes to compete in sports at such a high level, and whether that sacrifice is worth it. Loved the surprise ending as well, although Erez could’ve had a bit more conflict resolution. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/19/22 Full Review Daniel F While the premise of the movie indicates a brewing relationship between the two male leads, in actuality no real relationship ensues. It becomes a brow beating example of control, devaluation and homophobia within elite circles that prepare swimmers for entry into the Olympics. And it is a harrowing ride for the star of the movie, who is filled with sadness, humiliation and dealing with a culture that aims to break the human spirit. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/13/22 Full Review Rod O This movie promised much through the start but delivered little. Good performances from the cast but the storyline got lost in homophobia. It was ok. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/24 Full Review Arthur Garry K Excellent film! Full of strength and heart, moral compass and passion, and even in the ending, kindness and triumph. I love how in the closing scene only Paloma and Erez, got it. Great job to all the actors and to the director, you made this shine, and Erez gave the perfect Victory sign. Loved the film, and everyone in it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/24 Full Review Lev R Okay, there's certainly eye candy here, but the story is a mess. Maybe it was cut down to under 90 minutes and that's the problem. The coach's sudden change of allegiance, so to speak, doesn't make sense since nothing that the film's lead (Erez) has done warrants being ditched. Perhaps we're meant to think the coach is a closet case, but if so, that needed to be clearer. And the end was ridiculous both for how the competition was interrupted by a fantasy dance and because the lead who basically said swimming was his life apparently let his rival win. BS. Israel has produced many fine, complex queer films--this is not one of them. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/25/23 Full Review dean l I made it a point to catch (and not miss) this film as it had been extended, the run I mean. It was beautifully shot, extremely believable and well-acted, emotional, poignant and surpassed by far merely being eye candy. I would like to see it again. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Swimmer

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The Swimmer

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Movie Info

Synopsis Erez, a rising star in the Israeli swimming scene, arrives at a godforsaken training camp held in a boarding school, where the one to win the competition gets a ticket to the Olympics. There he meets the beautiful and talented Nevo, who awakens subconscious desires in him. However, their swimming coach does not believe in friendship between competitors. Warned to stay away from Nevo, Erez is still too attracted to him. In between practices, he attempts to act upon his feelings and understands that winning a medal is less important than winning Nevo's heart.
Director
Adam Kalderon
Producer
Naama Pyritz
Screenwriter
Adam Kalderon
Distributor
Strand Releasing
Production Co
Israel Film Fund
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
Hebrew
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 7, 2022, Limited
Runtime
1h 25m
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