SWIMMING UPSTREAM
Year: 2003
USA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
UK: Verve Pictures
Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis, Jesse Spencer, Tim Draxl, Deborah Kennedy, David Hoflin, Craig Horner, Brittany Byrnes, Mitchell Dellevergin, Thomas Davidson, Kain O'Keeffe, Robert Quinn, Keeara Byrnes, Mark Hembrow, Simon Burvill-Holmes, Bob Newman, Andrew Nason, Barrie Young, Michael Earnshaw, Remi Broadway, Melissa Thomas, Andrew Booth, Brett Bullock, Todd Leigh, Steven O'Donnell, Christopher Morris, Anneliese Fegan, Gyton Grantley, Tudor Vasile, Dayle Marriott, Nick Crilly, Laura Donaldson, Courtney Ayre, Joanne Dobbin, Todd Levi, Russell Krause, Ron Kelly, Murray Rose, Paul Raynor, Dawn Fraser, Justine Anderson, Chris Herden, Cameron Watt, Christopher Betts, Terry Bone, Peter Marshall, Bruce Wainwright, Peter Jeremijenko, Bruce Shapiro, Chas Green, Aaron Aash, Cray McCabbin, Katherine Lyall-Watson, Raj Ryan
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Country: Australia
USA: 114 mins
UK: 97 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for mature thematic material and a scene of sensuality
UK Certificate: 12A contains moderate emotional intensity and domestic violence
USA Release Date: 4 February 2005 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 4 February 2005 (Limited Release - London)
Synopsis
In the spirit of BILLY ELLIOT and CHARIOTS OF FIRE comes the compelling and inspirational true story of Tony Fingleton, a young man from a troubled family who found the inner strength to become a champion.
Set in 1950's Brisbane, Australia, and based on Anthony Fingleton's novel of the same name, SWIMMING UPSTREAM stars Jesse Spencer as the central character, Tony, who beats the odds to become a champion swimmer in spite of his overbearing alcoholic father played by Geoffrey Rush, and his long-suffering but quietly heroic mother played by Judy Davis. Overshadowed in his father's eyes by his brothers (David Hoflin and Tim Draxl), it is only when Tony displays an extraordinary swimming talent that he feels he has a shot at winning his father's heart - and maybe even Olympic gold.
Directed by Golden Globe nominee Russell Mulcahy (HIGHLANDER) for Crusader Entertainment. Produced by Howard Baldwin, Karen Baldwin, and Paul Pompian, and executive produced by William J Immerman, Andrew Mason and Anthony Fingleton from an autobiographical screenplay by Anthony Fingleton.