macz
Well conceived story and clever direction. We are drawn into a melodrama revolving around the lives of a group of seemingly dull and unfulfilled middle-aged Swedish males. They decide to form a male synchronised swimming team 'just for fun' and also as a way of relieving themselves of the chronic boredom and general disillusionment they are all experiencing. After much trial and error they learn of an international male synchronised swimming championships that is to take place in Milan, Italy. The twist at the end of the story is so astonishing that it seems almost contrived. Yet you're left feeling overwhelmingly happy that these guys weren't such a bunch of losers after all!
angelofvic
OK, perfect premise, right? Bored and frustrated men in their mid-life crisis years turn to an extremely unlikely group activity -- synchronized swimming -- and give it a go. Hilarity ensues.The only thing is, this really happened. Welshman Dylan Williams, a film and television professional, marries and moves to Sweden, where he not only doesn't speak the language, but can't get a decent job, and doesn't have any friends. As he learns the language, the job front improves nominally, but his big breakthrough is social: He joins a club, and finds that friendship blossoms in a motley crew of misfits who have decided to persuade a journalist and author on the subject to teach them synchronized swimming.At first the novelty attracts some viewers interested enough to shell out a bit to watch them go through their paces. Eventually, though, routine sets in, real-life problems take precedence, spectators lose interest, tempers flare, and the men have to admit to themselves that not only are they not very good, but they also have reached the limits of their, and their trainer's, capabilities.What then? That, indeed, is where the film starts to get really interesting....
