On a Clear Day (2005)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Gaby Dellal

Writer:

Alex Rose (writer)

Release Date:

18 August 2005 (Israel)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Anything is possible.

Plot:

Frank determines to salvage his self-esteem and tackle his demons by attempting the ultimate test of endurance - swimming the English Channel.

Plot Keywords:

Swimming | English Channel | Beach | Friendship | Marriage

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Peter Mullan	...	Frank
Brenda Blethyn	...	Joan
Sean McGinley	...	Eddie
Jamie Sives	...	Rob
Billy Boyd	...	Danny
Ron Cook	...	Norman
Jodhi May	...	Angela
Benedict Wong	...	Chan
Anne Marie Timoney	...	Michelle
Shaun Dingwall	...	Observer
Tony Roper	...	Merv the Perv
Paul Ritter	...	Mad Bob
Andrew MacLennan	...	Andrew
James MacLennan	...	James
Irene Ann Burt	...	Vera

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some language.

Runtime:

98 min | France:105 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | France:U | Australia:PG | Malaysia:(Banned) | Finland:K-7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Netherlands:AL | Singapore:NC-16 | UK:12A | Ireland:12A

Filming Locations:

Dover, Kent, England, UK

Company:

Baker Street

Trivia:

The toy that Rob takes away from his son at school is Thunderbird 2, based on the television series "Thunderbirds" (1965). Ron Cook played Parker in the theatrical remake Thunderbirds (2004).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Rob is in the café, the words on the front glass window are facing inside - not outside, towards the street.

Quotes:

Rob: I just don't understand why he is doing this. Swimming The English Channel will NOT bring Stuart back.
Joan: [as she leaves the kitchen, she turns back to her son] It's not Stuart he wants back, Rob.

Soundtrack:

For he is a jolly good fellow

Swim the English Channel, drive a bus...I loved it...

I saw this movie at Sundance, and it was brilliant. Beautiful shots, wonderful acting and such a moving story! It made me cry, it made me laugh (with Billy Boyd as much of the comic relief!), it made me want to see it again! Gaby Dellal's direction was spot on, and the emotions from each of the characters was so true, that I wanted to cheer Frank (Peter Mullen) on while swimming the English Channel and console him when he felt like he couldn't do anything.

The only thing that I had an "issue" with, was that at a few moments, the Scottish accent was so thick that I missed what was said. :P Oops!!! Otherwise, I hope this gets picked up and distributed, and I will DEFINITELY buy the DVD.