Eric (Rob Brydon, best know for comedy films such as "Trip To Spain") appears to be suffering from what we call a mid life crisis. It's obvious given our opening sequences that Eric is separated from his wife and his son has very little or no respect for him. Eric is down and lost in life. One positive thing that Eric does get to enjoy is having a swim at his local pool, where he normally sits on the bottom of the pool and lets the sound of the outside world be drowned out.
One day, while swimming at his local pool, Eric finds a group of amateur male swimmers trying to synchronise swim together. Eric is invited to join the team and will try to help with team's overall structure.
As most viewers can expect, it's not long until our male swimmers discover and enter a competition which will put them all under the pump as they represent Great Britain 🇬🇧.
Swimming with men doesn't provide a plot that is new to the screen and sadly it feels like something we have seen many time before. While the foundation is men swimming together is fun, the idea of someone new entering a group and making new friends with a competition entry is not new (Pitch Perfect, Bring It On & Cool Running anyone?).
Thankfully this is a light hearted, feel good comedy film. There are no major laughs to be had which I was surprised at, given the lead role alone. I'm personally a fan of Rob Brydon but the humour he is capable of bringing on the screen has been held back by the film's script. This could also be said for the other cast members and while some jokes will land a rare chuckle, once again it's nothing new but harmless entertainment.
Overall, Swimming With Men delivers a new foundation but ultimately turns back into something we have seen countless times before in the same tradition as films like Pitch Perfect or Bring It On. Watching older men learning to be synchronise swimmers and entering a competition will deliver light chuckles, but its designed audience that is rather selective.
4.5/10 Walkden Entertainment
One day, while swimming at his local pool, Eric finds a group of amateur male swimmers trying to synchronise swim together. Eric is invited to join the team and will try to help with team's overall structure.
As most viewers can expect, it's not long until our male swimmers discover and enter a competition which will put them all under the pump as they represent Great Britain 🇬🇧.
Swimming with men doesn't provide a plot that is new to the screen and sadly it feels like something we have seen many time before. While the foundation is men swimming together is fun, the idea of someone new entering a group and making new friends with a competition entry is not new (Pitch Perfect, Bring It On & Cool Running anyone?).
Thankfully this is a light hearted, feel good comedy film. There are no major laughs to be had which I was surprised at, given the lead role alone. I'm personally a fan of Rob Brydon but the humour he is capable of bringing on the screen has been held back by the film's script. This could also be said for the other cast members and while some jokes will land a rare chuckle, once again it's nothing new but harmless entertainment.
Overall, Swimming With Men delivers a new foundation but ultimately turns back into something we have seen countless times before in the same tradition as films like Pitch Perfect or Bring It On. Watching older men learning to be synchronise swimmers and entering a competition will deliver light chuckles, but its designed audience that is rather selective.
4.5/10 Walkden Entertainment