Swimming Upstream (2003)

In the gritty backdrop of a labor-dominated harbor, the lives of the Fingleton family are marred by their brutal patriarch, Harold Fingleton - a man fervent about sports and a skewed sense of masculinity. Harold's obsession spirals into fostering a culture of bullying within the family, singling out his sensitive son Tony as the 'sissy' and encouraging his eldest, Harold Jr., to perpetuate the torment. In the shadow of his brothers, Tony finds solace in the presence of his timid sibling, John, and together, they discover a shared talent that would change their lives - swimming. Their prowess in the water sparks a shift in their father's attention, turning away from Harold Jr. to press both Tony and John into exhaustive training. Despite their shared hardship, the father's favoritism leans heavily towards John, leaving Tony to swim against a tide of belittlement and indifference. As Tony's talent blooms, he emerges as a formidable competitor, even in the face of his father's persistent disregard. However, this victory is short-lived, as Harold's relentless ambition sets John on a path to outshine Tony, further straining their fraternal bond and threatening to drown their relationship entirely. "Swimming Upstream" is a poignant tale of Tony Fingleton, a resilient young man from a fractured family, who battles the waves of adversity to prove his worth. With his extraordinary swimming talent as his beacon, Tony embarks on a journey to not only become a champion but also to win the heart of the father who constantly overlooks him. This true story illuminates the power of inner strength and the relentless pursuit of recognition, even in the face of familial strife and a world determined to pull you under.

Swimming Upstream is a drama movie featuring Geoffrey Rush.

Swimming Upstream is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, The Roku Channel and Tubi TV.

It is also possible to buy Swimming Upstream on Amazon Video, Apple TV and Vudu.