Swimming Upstream (2005)

As the target of his father Harold's (Rush) drunken abuse, young Tony Fingleton (Jesse Spencer) escapes to the underwater solitude of the local pool, where he aspires to win his father's love by becoming a national swimming champion. But when his cruel father pits Tony against his own brother in a competition to make the Olympic team, Tony must find the courage to swim his way to victory-and out of his father's emotionally crippling net.
 


Editor's Note

SWIMMING UPSTREAM is an inspiring drama that tells the true story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton (Jess Spencer), who rose above his deeply troubled home life in order to become a national champion in 1950s Brisbane. Consistently tormented by his bullying older brother and his alcoholic father Harold (Geoffrey Rush), Tony leaned on his other brother John and his loving mother, Dora (Judy Davis), for support. When Harold grudgingly takes the children to the local pool one day, he discovers Tony and John's very special gift. Soon, both boys are winning tournaments all over the country. Thinking this might be the way into his father's heart, Tony is shocked to discover that his success only sparks more animosity. Harold's notorious mood swings and alcoholism increases as Tony makes his way to the Australian Nationals, forcing Tony to find the strength within himself to become a bona fide champion.

Two of the world's finest actors, Rush and Davis, once again deliver astonishingly assured performances, as does the charming Spencer. Director Russell Mulcahy (RAZORBACK, TALE OF THE MUMMY) boldly devotes as much screen time to the domestic squabbles as he does to the action scenes, which makes SWIMMING UPSTREAM a unique sports picture.