Swimming (2000)

Director:

Robert J. Siegel

Writers:

Lisa Bazadona
Robert J. Siegel
(more)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Two girl friends in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina find their relationship changing as they encounter new arrivals to the town...

Plot Keywords:

Bar | Beach | Body Piercing | Swimming | Lesbian Subtext

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Lauren Ambrose	...	Frankie Wheeler
Jennifer Dundas	...	Nicola Jenrette (as Jennifer Dundas Lowe)
Joelle Carter	...	Josee
Jamie Harrold	...	Heath
James Villemaire	...	Brad
Josh Pais	...	Neil Wheeler
Sharon Scruggs	...	Marianne Wheeler
Joshua Harto	...	Lance
Anthony Ruivivar	...	Kalani
Russ Ferrari	...	Nicky Wheeler
Jeremy Clark	...	Zack Wheeler (as Gage Nettleson)
Joe Roseto	...	Phil Dunlop
Jeffrey Ware	...	Buzz
Todd A. Kovner	...	T
David Raeford-Davis	...	Deputy
Summer Still	...	Guard
Benny Lamar Wheeler	...	McCafferty
Frank Trimble	...	Italian Lover on TV (as Frank P. Trimble)
Carlene Moore	...	American Movie Star on TV
Mary Beth Brown	...	Waitress
Bryn Blankinship	...	Waitress
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gregory Porter Miller	...	Van Salesman (as Greg Miller)
Dennis L.A. White	...	Jeeper
Adam Avagliano	...	Amusement Park Guy (uncredited)
Kevin Kane	...	Jake (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert J. Siegel

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Lisa Bazadona
Robert J. Siegel
Grace Woodard

Produced by
Linda Moran	....	producer
Valerie Romer	....	line producer
Robert J. Siegel	....	producer
Ciro Silva	....	co-producer
Grace Woodard	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Mark Wike

Cinematography by
John Leuba

Film Editing by
J. Blake Fichera		(re-edit)
Frank Reynolds

Casting by
Judy Henderson

Production Design by
Charlotte Bourke

Set Decoration by
Niamh Byrne

Costume Design by
Laura Sewrey

Makeup Department
Sanna Riley	....	key makeup artist
Pj Suttle	....	assistant hair stylist
Pj Suttle	....	assistant makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jose Gilberto Molinari-Rosaly	....	first assistant director
Collin Smith	....	assistant director

Art Department
Timothy J. Smith	....	property master

Sound Department
Scott Delaney	....	post-production sound
Tammy Douglas	....	sound mixer
Jeff Formosa	....	supervising sound editor

Camera and Electrical Department
Jason Andrew	....	best boy grip
William M. Miller	....	assistant camera
Derek E. Tindall	....	electrician
David Troutman	....	grip
Eric West	....	gaffer

Editorial Department
Maurizio Venegas	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Mark Wike	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Lynn Appelle	....	production coordinator
Brenda Balch	....	production office intern
Jonathan Gray	....	production counsel
Stephanie A. Marquardt	....	script supervisor
Brandon T. Snider	....	production assistant (as Brandon Snider)

Distributors

• Oceanside Pictures (2002) (USA)
• Sundance Channel Home Entertainment

Other Companies

• Gray Krauss Des Rochers  legal services

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexuality and drug use

Runtime:

Australia:98 min | USA:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:R | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Georgetown, South Carolina, USA

Soundtrack:

America

Very Very Excellent!!

ANYONE that has ever been to Myrtle Beach, SC can relate to this movie more than the average viewer. There is something in the air almost that generates youth and nostalgia through you while visiting and when you leave you are never quite the same. In the opening reel you see young teenagers cruising the boulevard and haunting by-passers on the beach that make one realize in a single instant while there (a place where we all connect) just how many people we pass by never getting to know.

This film touches greatly on rich characters... Franky the main character is deep and forlorn. We are directly put into someones shoes through her of how it must be to actually "live" in a place we all wish we could stay. Instead of being the "vacationers" as in most movies we get to see a residents point of view. An exceptional character is also the girl who seemingly befriends Franky, coming in to town shaking her up and confusing her just when she thought she wanted a little bit of change. This girl is a true character she symbolizes most people and how they are clueless to most depth of life.. she can be described as those shallow "fly-by-night" people that we have all encountered that you wish and think might stay but in the end they never do. Franky's romantic involvement with new-age hippi Heath is right-on target and pulls the story to its closure.

The main point of the story is very much what I described near the beginning. In the movie Franky never swims, even being asked 5 or 6 times. Near the end she simply states that it would be weird if she leaves because she will not have the ocean to swim in, as it has always been in her own backyard. This is the eye-opening truth in all of our lives... we take for granted what others see. And just like her old friendship with Nicola that seemed tired when the new girl arrived... Franky got a taste of not dealing with Nicola but soon realized that you can't easily say goodbye to something you will always remember.

This movie is highly under-rated (as are alot of non-blockbusters these days). It is great to see a movie filmed in the South at one of the best and most popular beaches in the world. "Shag" (Another great movie) was also filmed in Myrtle Beach, however it is taken from the "visitors" point of view and we don't get to see and feel what it is like to be trapped in somewhere so wonderful and still want out.