Swimming Upstream (2003)

The inspirational life story of Australian swimmer Tony Fingleton.

Director:

Russell Mulcahy

Writers:

Anthony Fingleton (autobiography), Diane Fingleton (autobiography),

Stars:

Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis, Jesse Spencer

4 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Geoffrey Rush	...	Harold Fingleton
Judy Davis	...	Dora Fingleton
Jesse Spencer	...	Tony Fingleton
Tim Draxl	...	John Fingleton
Deborah Kennedy	...	Billie
David Hoflin	...	Harold Fingleton Jr.
Craig Horner	...	Ronald Fingleton
Brittany Byrnes	...	Diane Fingleton
Mitchell Dellevergin	...	Young Tony
Thomas Davidson	...	Young John
Kain O'Keeffe	...	Young Harold Jr.
Robert Quinn	...	Young Ronald
Keeara Byrnes	...	Young Diane
Mark Hembrow	...	Tommy
Simon Burvill-Holmes	...	Brother Campbell

Storyline

The true story of Tony Fingleton, a young man from a troubled family who found the inner strength to become a champion. Always overshadowed in his father's eyes by his brothers, it is only when Tony displays an extraordinary swimming talent that he feels he has a shot at winning his father's heart.

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Plot Keywords:

swimming | training | bully | sissy | abuse | 

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Taglines:

The pride of a nation. The heart of a champion.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving alcoholism and domestic abuse

Details

Official Sites:

MGM [United States]

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

27 February 2003 (Australia)

Also Known As:

A contracorriente

Filming Locations:

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$24,520 (USA) (4 February 2005)

Gross:

$47,171 (USA) (11 February 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crusader Entertainment, Pacific Film & Television Commission, Baldwin Entertainment Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the movie, Tony competes in the 100-meter backstroke, winning a silver medal at the Empire Games in 1962. In 1962, the Empire Games swimming events were measured in yards, and Tony won silver behind another Australian in the 220-yard event. When he is later told that "your event was today" in reference to the 1964 Olympics, it refers to the 200-meter backstroke - the 100 wasn't contested in Tokyo.

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Quotes

Tony Fingleton: [narrating] It's funny how the stumbling blocks of life can help make us better people. I never had the support of my father, but in the end that's what gave me the strength to seek something more than I could've ever imagined. Something in another world.

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Connections

Featured in Swimming Upstream: The Making of a Champion (2005)

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Soundtracks

"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"
Music by Ernest Ball
Lyrics by Chauncey Olcott and George Graff

User Reviews

A great Australian story

I watched Swimming Upstream as part of the judging for Australia's Film Institute awards and was very impressed with it at that screening. The performances are superb, especially Judy Davis and Geoffery Rush. But the real power of the film lies in it's subtext about a father who managed to disregard his own son.

The implications of this, and the way it was so beautifully, visually and poignantly brought to the screen, is one of the true achievements of this film.

Special mention goes to Anthony Fingleton who wrote the screenplay (based on his autobiography) He and co-writer Diane Fingleton have managed to relate an extrordinary situation without trying to answer the greatest puzzle - how could this happen in a loving family.

A real Gem that will no doubt be overlooked by many. A shame.