The Swimmer features strong writing (from a John Cheever short story—the “Chekov of the suburbs”) and a big-time lead performance from Burt Lancaster help a hit and miss Frank Perry behind the camera
A meditation on mid-life crisis and WASP-y capitalist suburban banality—seems connected to The Graduate from the year before (he could be Benjamin Braddock’s parents’ friend)—how about Fight Club too from 1999?
Ebert and Lancaster call it Lancaster’s best- I respectfully disagree (Sweet Smell of Success or The Leopard)— but he is very strong here– he definitely has a long swimmer’s build and is in crazy shape for the age of 55
Perry is no master of mise-en-scene but I like the Douglas Sirk autumnal suburbia here—colors and landscaping
Some odd transitions (like going to a dream with a twinkle in a soap opera at one point)—I do like the soft focus shots with dialogue carrying over with the young blonde
Goes slow-motion for no reason once later
Set almost as if in real time— a nervous breakdown or awakening depending on the perspective
A great shot of Lancaster in the distance surrounded by trees- great photography
Smart to use Lancaster- lots of close-ups
Truly sad when we get to the finale with the run-down mansion and tennis-court
[…] The Swimmer – Perry […]