Swimming Upstream

Jesse Spencer ("House M.D.") stars in the true-life drama of Australian swimming champion Tony Fingleton. Desperate to escape his tortuous older brother and alcoholic father (Geoffrey Rush), Tony finds sanctuary and his life's calling at the local public pool. And though his new passion is marred by his father's growing animosity and illness, the talented athlete nevertheless perseveres, ultimately gaining both sports glory and self-respect.

Aside from his violent father and some profanity this is really a pretty good film. It's well acted and a great story. Tony rises to the top in spite of terrible odds motivated by his mother's love and his desire to go to the states to attend a prestigious university. He proves that anything is possible if you really want it. The terrible consequences of alcohol are portrayed with some disturbing scenes of domestic violence, and one is left feeling a certain degree of simpathy for Tony's father who is a victim of his past. I felt a desire to cheer Tony, love his mother, cry for his family, and help his father. It made me wonder what a difference it would have made in the life of this family to have found the gospel. -->Kimball***

Netflix link to Swimming Upstream