Swimming

Robert J. Siegel directs this understated exploration of love, sexuality and friendship. Set during the opening of the summer vacation season at Myrtle Beach, the film focuses on Frankie (Lauren Ambrose), a quiet, introverted girl who works with her brother Neil (Josh Pais) at the family's burger joint. Frankie's best friend is the trash-talking Nicola (Jennifer Dundas Lowe), who runs the body-piercing hut next door. When Neil hires the gorgeous Josee (Joelle Carter) as a waitress, Nicola can barely conceal her jealousy, while Frankie is utterly mesmerized by the nubile beauty. Later, a goofy but sweet drifter named ... Read moreRobert J. Siegel directs this understated exploration of love, sexuality and friendship. Set during the opening of the summer vacation season at Myrtle Beach, the film focuses on Frankie (Lauren Ambrose), a quiet, introverted girl who works with her brother Neil (Josh Pais) at the family's burger joint. Frankie's best friend is the trash-talking Nicola (Jennifer Dundas Lowe), who runs the body-piercing hut next door. When Neil hires the gorgeous Josee (Joelle Carter) as a waitress, Nicola can barely conceal her jealousy, while Frankie is utterly mesmerized by the nubile beauty. Later, a goofy but sweet drifter named Heath (Jamie Harrold) arrives in town, selling T-shirts from the back of his van. He instantly finds himself attracted to Frankie, ignoring both Nicola and Josee.I saw this movie at Sundance and was very surprised that it went home with no awards. I can say that Robert J. Siegel does a masterful job of telling a delicate story in a very real and touching way. It is never easy to handle a story about a traumatizing event, but to do it with such sensitivity, in the midst of a HILARIOUS movie, is pure genius. A great deal of the credit must go to Lauren Ambrose for her portrayal of a girl whose emotions are always known to the audience, though she hardly ever says anything. Anyone who has been to high school should get a big kick from some of the send-ups in "Swimming." And for anyone who has doubted the talents of Jennifer Dundas, just watch this movie.

I returned from the Sundance Film Festival, where I was lucky enough to attend a screening of "Swimming" (after waiting 2 hours in line . ..). It was worth the wait. I fear this film will be pigeonholed as just a "teen movie," which would be a shame because it touches on themes that resonate with adults as well. I'll admit I cried during the film, but then so did many of the people around me. I haven't heard whether it got distribution yet or not -- I can't imagine that it wouldn't.

I was lucky enough to see this film at Sundance. I wasn't sure about the story, which is confusing, could be an interesting movie.Robert J. Siegel handles all of the potential problems beautifully, without changing the fundamental story. What really makes the movie, though, is Lauren Ambrose's complete embodiment of Frankie. She does things with her face that actors twice her age with twice her experience only wish they could do. Though the film is not at all didactic in nature, it would be a great one for teens to see with their parents. Lots of good material for discussion.

SWIMMING (2002) ***1/2 Lauren Ambrose, Joelle Carter, Jennifer Dundas, Jamie Harrold, Joshua Harto, Josh Pais, Joe Roseto, Anthony Ruivivar, Sharon Scruggs. Wonderful low budget, indie sleeper gem about a young woman (Ambrose in a lovely performance whose expressive face is a marvel to behold) facing a future of boredom while working in her family's resort community hamburger joint in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina finds her life in sudden change when comely stranger (Carter) comes aboard as a waitress shaking things up for the better (and not so). Smart, funny and captivating in capturing what it feels like to be a girl becoming a woman and the awkwardness of it all. (Dir: Robert J. Siegel)

I really enjoyed this film. I found it a lovely and touching story about growing up and learning to feel comfortable in one's own skin and of how the people we love during the course of our lives touch us and change us. I thought the story was quite good and the acting and direction were excellent. I would definitely recommend

I suppose this is a coming of age movie, and that it therefore ought to show some maturation in its principal subject. But, heck, "Swimming" does.

Frankie starts out almost devoid of self-confidence, hiding her body in baggy clothes and her self behind her older brother and his bossiness, letting her friends boss her too, unless one of them asks her to assert herself, become conspicuous, risk rejection.

Thanks to new relationships, with a girl who, despite having some good and loving impulses, is using her attractiveness to manipulate both Frankie and her older brother, and with a somewhat goofy guy who is not at all manipulative, Frankie finds the grit to stand up to her brother and to both her old girlfriend and her new one -- to assert herself and to act to change her world. She even finds the courage to cut her old friend a lot of slack.

The setting of the story and the secondary characters are almost too gritty and "realistic," but all the actors -- and especially Lauren Ambrose -- perform well and even a weird Marine (Anthony Ruivivar, now playing in "Third Watch" on TV) is almost believable.

I enjoyed this movie a lot! I must add that I am grateful to Sundance for showing this film on TV.

It's a rare film that touches on coming of age and the important lessons about learning whom to trust with such restraint and respect for the characters. Lauren Ambrose is eloquent even when she's silent. I'll use it in my work with girls and young women