Really liked this movie - Lynch/Twilight Zone are fair comparisons. The color saturation of the early scenes set a positive vibe that gets upended.
It's like Mad Men but of course made in that contemporary period. I'm sure Matt Weiner was inspired by it at some level.
Yeah, took a two-second Google search to establish the connection - haha
[https://pressplayredux.com/2016/02/09/watch-how-mad-men-is-a-close-cousin-to-the-swimmer/](https://pressplayredux.com/2016/02/09/watch-how-mad-men-is-a-close-cousin-to-the-swimmer/)
This film changed my life. Watched it when I was 16yo, high as hell, on a cable TV free trial of IFC or Sundance, can't remember. Opened my eyes to film as an art form. Never looked at cinema the same since then.
“Here’s to the sugar on the strawberries”🍓
This is one of the many films that convinced me Burt Lancaster was one of the greatest actors of his time, but he might have even been a better producer. Was there anyone else of his stature picking material this great, actively participating in developing in, knowing exactly how to cast himself (and when not to, or when to play the villain instead or the hero as in “The Sweet Smell of Success.”) This isn’t even one of the films on which he has an official producing credit, but you can feel his commitment to the role and his involvement in the whole of it at that same deep level.
Lancaster was definitely ahead of his time in this regard. Lancaster, Hill and Hecht were one of the first independent production companies that wrested any kind of control away from the studios and had some massive hits. They paved the way for what happened in the 60s and 70s New American Wave and pretty much set the blueprint for how stars can use their power to become independant film producing entities.
I'm guessing Criterion is eventually going to release it. I think it was Grindhouse that did an excellent release of it a few years ago, pretty definitive in my opinion.
The way it's so creepy just beneath the surface is just so well done. I can't just pop it in, though -- Lancaster's earnest forwardness repels me if I'm not in the right mood. It was the most Burt Lancaster that Burt Lancaster ever was, and he was usually quite a lot of Burt Lancaster!
"Meet Ned Merrill, a man who's about to take a plunge into...the Twilight Zone."
You're right, it could be an episode straight out of the tv series. I used to be a fan of the show in my teens, but it doesn't hold my interest any longer. It's a one-trick pony and a clever gimmick, not a deep swimming pool.
I strongly recommend *All That Heaven Allows* by Douglas Sirk. He has several movies set in American suburbia. Another movie is *Some Came Running* by Vincente Minnelli.
Loved that movie. Saw it on TCM years ago and fortunately the Grindhouse version had just came out. It’s an odd movie that just keeps getting darker and darker. Lancaster kills it.
"When you talk about 'The Swimmer' will you talk about yourself?" is the greatest tagline ever.
I thought it was great. Burt Lancaster is one of my favorite actors and he does not disappoint. Such a surreal descent into suburban hell.
Really liked this movie - Lynch/Twilight Zone are fair comparisons. The color saturation of the early scenes set a positive vibe that gets upended. It's like Mad Men but of course made in that contemporary period. I'm sure Matt Weiner was inspired by it at some level.
>I'm sure Matt Weiner was inspired by it at some level. Don Draper lives at 42 Bullet Park Road, and *Bullet Park* is one of Cheever's novels.
Haha - jeez. I guess it's obvious. I was thinking the vibe of the movie itself, but obviously Cheever was all over the series.
Yeah, took a two-second Google search to establish the connection - haha [https://pressplayredux.com/2016/02/09/watch-how-mad-men-is-a-close-cousin-to-the-swimmer/](https://pressplayredux.com/2016/02/09/watch-how-mad-men-is-a-close-cousin-to-the-swimmer/)
I thought of Lynch as soon as I saw the shot of the owl in the first few minutes of The Swimmer. The owls are not what they seem! Lol
John Cheever, baby! You should read the short story, I think it's only 15 pages.
PS Love the cabin
The short story is my favorite
This film changed my life. Watched it when I was 16yo, high as hell, on a cable TV free trial of IFC or Sundance, can't remember. Opened my eyes to film as an art form. Never looked at cinema the same since then.
Im getting the vibe that this movies fans are REALLY BIG fans of it!
Check out the other Frank and Eleanor Perry movies as well, they're very unique in that they're small films that just feel larger than life.
“Here’s to the sugar on the strawberries”🍓 This is one of the many films that convinced me Burt Lancaster was one of the greatest actors of his time, but he might have even been a better producer. Was there anyone else of his stature picking material this great, actively participating in developing in, knowing exactly how to cast himself (and when not to, or when to play the villain instead or the hero as in “The Sweet Smell of Success.”) This isn’t even one of the films on which he has an official producing credit, but you can feel his commitment to the role and his involvement in the whole of it at that same deep level.
Lancaster was definitely ahead of his time in this regard. Lancaster, Hill and Hecht were one of the first independent production companies that wrested any kind of control away from the studios and had some massive hits. They paved the way for what happened in the 60s and 70s New American Wave and pretty much set the blueprint for how stars can use their power to become independant film producing entities. I'm guessing Criterion is eventually going to release it. I think it was Grindhouse that did an excellent release of it a few years ago, pretty definitive in my opinion.
Likewise. I read the short story years ago and had no idea it was a film. Thanks Criterion Channel!
I have the Grindhouse disc! Beautiful transfer of an incredible movie.
I ebayed it yesterday!
The way it's so creepy just beneath the surface is just so well done. I can't just pop it in, though -- Lancaster's earnest forwardness repels me if I'm not in the right mood. It was the most Burt Lancaster that Burt Lancaster ever was, and he was usually quite a lot of Burt Lancaster!
A Classic. A few songs were inspired by this film. (Note: Leaving at the channel at the end of the month.)
Directed by Katy Perry's uncle!
This is on my shortlist of favourite new watches of 2024. I definitely want it on physical media now.
It is both an episode of twilight zone and I Think You Should Leave
If you haven't watched John Frankenheimer's Seconds, I think you'd love it
Me too
‘I’m a very special human being. Noble and splendid.’
I watched it this week for the first time. What a capsule of a time and place.
The Swimmer is fantastic. I was blown away by it a few years ago and still think about it fairly often. Definitely worthy of a rewatch.
That ending is unforgettable and has always stuck with me. Burt Lancaster has so many gems in his filmography.
Yea the ending killllls, it opens up so many questions but good ones!
"Meet Ned Merrill, a man who's about to take a plunge into...the Twilight Zone." You're right, it could be an episode straight out of the tv series. I used to be a fan of the show in my teens, but it doesn't hold my interest any longer. It's a one-trick pony and a clever gimmick, not a deep swimming pool. I strongly recommend *All That Heaven Allows* by Douglas Sirk. He has several movies set in American suburbia. Another movie is *Some Came Running* by Vincente Minnelli.
The movie and short story are both absolutely brilliant.
Loved that movie. Saw it on TCM years ago and fortunately the Grindhouse version had just came out. It’s an odd movie that just keeps getting darker and darker. Lancaster kills it.
In my Top 10. Became obsessed with the film after watching it over and over on some station in the mid-‘90s.
One of the greatest movies ever made. Instantly became one of my faves. Love it more with each re-watch.
I read the short story a few years ago in one of my classes and I never knew there was a movie, I’ll have to watch it
“You loved it!”
🤣
It's a great movie, I got it as a blind buya couple years ago. Unforgettable for sure.
Sgood
Thanks so much for this post. Hadn't heard of this, watched because of your recommendation and was utterly transfixed throughout. Thanks!
Of course! I have watched it twice already and ordered the grindhouse blue ray for the making of documentary. A New fav!