Released in 2000, "Swimming" (as in 'sink or swim') is a slice-of-life coming-of-age indie flick centered around the life of Frankie, played by Lauren Ambrose, who co-owns a small Myrtle Beach restaurant/bar with her older brother, Neil. Frankie is about 18 or 19 and is trying to find her place, purpose and identity in the world. She could be pretty but has no sense of style or charisma. She just kind of innocently mopes around. Her best friend is sexy wild-child Nicola (Jennifer Dundas), who runs a body-piercing salon next to the restaurant.
When the ultra-sexy Josee (Joelle Carter) strolls into town it stirs up the curiosity of Frankie, the jealousy of Nicola and the lust of Neil and every other man, except Heath, a tie-dyed shirt salesman who lives in his van with his dogs. Heath is a grunge/stoner and only has eyes for Frankie.
"Swimming" is a quiet little indie film, but the story is strangely engrossing. If you're older than 25 it accurately brings to memory those fun-yet-dreadful 'coming-of-age' years (if you're younger than 25 you're STILL coming of age). The characters are all believable and it's almost as if you know them; consequently, you care about their lives and their story. Although this is a drama there's a few amusing moments.
The character of Josee is interesting. She's ravishing, confident and overflowing with charisma. She knows this and uses it to her advantage to get whatever she wants. For example, she entices the lifeguard so she can have a free place to stay by the beach and charms Neil for a waitress job even though he doesn't need anyone, not to mention she's a lousy worker. She also charms Frankie in more than one sense. Josee instinctively senses that Frankie is kind of lost and that she can 'wow' her with her star appeal. Frankie becomes somewhat star-struck and it negatively affects her relationship with Nicola.
A reviewer on IMDb wrongly deduced that Frankie is a butch lesbian and just doesn't realize it yet. This is an inaccurate interpretation and I'll tell you why (it's obvious): Josee realizes the power she has over Frankie and is indeed attempting to stir her love and desire, and not just on a friendship level. You see, Josee feeds off of desire, from both men and women, regardless of the nature of the desire. It's clear in the film that, out of curiosity, Frankie briefly (yet seriously) considers the idea of lesbianism, such is the alluring power of Josee. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Ultimately, however, she rejects it. Josee's spell over Frankie is broken once Frankie sees her true selfish, using and fickle nature. Frankie then re-focuses her romantic energy on heath and restores her friendship with party-girl Nicola, who had gotten into trouble with the law.***END SPOILER***
Josee's character is well portrayed in the laugh-out-loud scene where she's having sex with someone. The guy is passionately into it, but Josee is obviously quite bored by the experience (in her mind she's just paying her room & board). It's hilarious and so true-to-life.
I can see why some people give "Swimming" a mediocre grade because, as a realistic slice-of-life drama, it's often mundane like real-life, but this is part of its appeal IMHO.
Interestingly, although Frankie is portrayed in a very unattractive manner in the film, Lauren Ambrose is actually a beautiful redhead; google pictures of her and you'll see.
The film runs 90 minutes and was shot on the South Carolina coast in Myrtle Beach & Georgetown.
GRADE: B
When the ultra-sexy Josee (Joelle Carter) strolls into town it stirs up the curiosity of Frankie, the jealousy of Nicola and the lust of Neil and every other man, except Heath, a tie-dyed shirt salesman who lives in his van with his dogs. Heath is a grunge/stoner and only has eyes for Frankie.
"Swimming" is a quiet little indie film, but the story is strangely engrossing. If you're older than 25 it accurately brings to memory those fun-yet-dreadful 'coming-of-age' years (if you're younger than 25 you're STILL coming of age). The characters are all believable and it's almost as if you know them; consequently, you care about their lives and their story. Although this is a drama there's a few amusing moments.
The character of Josee is interesting. She's ravishing, confident and overflowing with charisma. She knows this and uses it to her advantage to get whatever she wants. For example, she entices the lifeguard so she can have a free place to stay by the beach and charms Neil for a waitress job even though he doesn't need anyone, not to mention she's a lousy worker. She also charms Frankie in more than one sense. Josee instinctively senses that Frankie is kind of lost and that she can 'wow' her with her star appeal. Frankie becomes somewhat star-struck and it negatively affects her relationship with Nicola.
A reviewer on IMDb wrongly deduced that Frankie is a butch lesbian and just doesn't realize it yet. This is an inaccurate interpretation and I'll tell you why (it's obvious): Josee realizes the power she has over Frankie and is indeed attempting to stir her love and desire, and not just on a friendship level. You see, Josee feeds off of desire, from both men and women, regardless of the nature of the desire. It's clear in the film that, out of curiosity, Frankie briefly (yet seriously) considers the idea of lesbianism, such is the alluring power of Josee. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Ultimately, however, she rejects it. Josee's spell over Frankie is broken once Frankie sees her true selfish, using and fickle nature. Frankie then re-focuses her romantic energy on heath and restores her friendship with party-girl Nicola, who had gotten into trouble with the law.***END SPOILER***
Josee's character is well portrayed in the laugh-out-loud scene where she's having sex with someone. The guy is passionately into it, but Josee is obviously quite bored by the experience (in her mind she's just paying her room & board). It's hilarious and so true-to-life.
I can see why some people give "Swimming" a mediocre grade because, as a realistic slice-of-life drama, it's often mundane like real-life, but this is part of its appeal IMHO.
Interestingly, although Frankie is portrayed in a very unattractive manner in the film, Lauren Ambrose is actually a beautiful redhead; google pictures of her and you'll see.
The film runs 90 minutes and was shot on the South Carolina coast in Myrtle Beach & Georgetown.
GRADE: B