Sink or Swim received a standing ovation at the 2018 Cannes Festival so it was time to see if the film lived up to the hype.
In a near capacity Palace Prospect Cinema, Sink or Swim is a good natured film which has the feel of the Full Monty.
And in an interesting irony, another all-male synchronised swimming troupe film commenced that same week at the cinemas. But back onto Sink or Swim. We are initially introduced to Mathieu Amalric’s Betrand who is unemployed and certainly in a rut. But upon seeing a sign at his local swimming pool advertising for new members for an all-male team of synchronised swimmers, he decides to give it a go.
Here we meet a motley crew of middle aged men who all have issues of their own. Their coach is an ex synchronised swimming female champion but she blends into the group perfectly as her own issues are illustrated.
Over the duration of the film, we see the group of men form a bond together while still dealing with their inner demons.
A new coach with a hilarious coaching style which had the cinema in raptures is introduced and things get serious for the guys when they decide to enter the World Championships happening in Norway.
How does Team France perform at the championships big finale, well I will let you see the film to find out. But the film will give you great music with Olivia Newton-John’s Let’s Get Physical and the Vangelis Chariots of Fire. Sink or Swim is a great feel good film with many comedic moments. And it certainly deserves a main stream season later in 2019.
This film definitely swam with a deserved standing ovation at Cannes, and did not sink.
Review by Tony Polese
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