The Big Bad Swim

The big bad swim has a low budget, indie feel about it. So many times I start to watch independent films that have had really good reviews only to find out they are pretentious crud, voted for by people who are so blinded by the idea of the film and its potential to be provocative that they forget that film is a form of entertainment first and foremost.

I do not know if The big bad swim has any message or higher meaning or metaphor, if it does then I missed it.

From the get go BBS felt right, it was easy and warm and human, there were no major dramas or meaningful insights, I just connected with the characters straight off. And when, as with all good films the end came around I felt sadness at the loss of that connection.

If you are looking for something big, or fast or insightful look elsewhere, look for a film trying to deliver more than it can. BBS delivers a solid, enjoyable, real experience and I felt rewarded and satiated having watched it.

This indie film looks at the lives of a group of people taking an adult swim class in Connecticut. The plot is fairly thin. What drives the film is the characters, excellently played by mostly unknown actors. Standouts in the cast are Brewster as a high school teacher experiencing marital problems and Weixler as a casino dealer who moonlights as a stripper. The two actresses give natural performances and work well together. This is an impressive feature film debut for writer Schechter and director Setton. The latter keeps the narrative moving at a fast clip. The film title and poster suggest something raunchy, but this is a marvelous little comedy-drama.

I watched this movie for Paget Brewster, whom I first encountered during the delightful Showtime program "Huff." Was anxious to see more of her acting, especially as a different character. As a "vehicle" for her, it was good. If you're a fan of hers, you'll truly enjoy the movie.

All the acting in the movie is solid. The storytelling is relatively brisk (note: relatively). One element builds on a previous element, shown in chronological order. Style is good and consistent through-out. Sub-plots are uneven in places. A few characters are either not fleshed out or stereotypical. There are a couple missed opportunities for interactions between characters.

When I saw it, I didn't realize it was an independent film until I came online to IMDb.com to view/make comments on it. I guess that's high praise, that it didn't feel like an independent film in size or scope. The "hook" of the story revolving around adult characters in a beginners "learn to swim" class mostly worked.

I had the good fortune of screening this movie as part of the Tribeca Film Fest and it was an absolute pleasure. A great combination of comedy and drama, served up without any of the pretense that can be so inherit in first feature outings. This did not feel like a low-budget first feature.

Big Bad Swim has a lot going for it: A polished but still still indie look and feel, a tremendous cast and strong performances. I found the story to be just the right balance of complex and accessible. It had characters that you can immediately relate to and more importantly care about.

I highly recommend checking out this flick!

This film is one of the best independent films that I have seen in a long time. This movie is a real gem. The ensemble cast helps the story flow to the point where nothing seems fake. Not once do you question why all these people are taking a late night swim class. The way the film was shot with underwater views as well as the different camera angles used really brings the viewer into the movie. It is unfortunate that movies like this do not get a major distribution because the cast and crew did a wonderful job. I also had the chance to see the film at The New London Film Festival in Connecticut where much of the movie was shot. I am not the best movie reviewer but please go see this film because you will not be disappointed. Two thumbs up.