THE SWIMMER

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

MARK TWAIN


Last week my elder sister informed me to get a hold of a 1968 film with Burt Lancaster called "The Swimmer" As she is my older sister, that's exactly what I did.
Its hard to explain the plot plausibly. A good looking bloke in his speedos goes from house to house swimming in each of his neighbours pools.
At first,we see how popular protaganist "Neddy"(played by a chiseled Burt lancaster) is with the folks of New England. He cant seem to make a false move.If he's not cantouring graciously in a green field with a beautiful horse; he's flirting outrageously with a young beautiful blonde.
You are forced to question the symbolism.
As the movie progresses,things start to take a nose dive. The horse run lands him tits up and the young blonde flees the scene when she feels that "Neddy" wants much more than friendship...
His friends begin to turn against him.They demand money and make glaring accusation that leave "Neddy" bewildered and confused.
Each scene is painted for us by cinematographer David L Quaid. He parades us through bright green manicured lawns to dark and vacant spaces. He also illuminates the grey archways we each pass through on lifes highway. Stunning work!
His ex mistress is cold and full of vengeance, the family have disappeared and the Norman Rockwell painting has long since faded.
Another cynic of Neddys is "Joan" A small role played by a much younger Joan Rivers. Well done Rivers! You were wonderful as the hard drinking,chain smoking New Yorker who wasnt going to be "played" any more! Why have you not been given more screen time?!?
The message of this film is not overtly clear but the vision is mesmerizing.
You as the audience cant help but be allured into it.
The character of "Neddy" was always going to be a hart act to swallow. How can you take a hottie in swimming trunks seriously when everyone else is fully clad?
The only man to pull it off is Mr Lancaster himself. Until now, I had only seen him in a 1986 feature called "Tough guys" with Kirk Douglas. An average exposition on two ex cons trying to find their way in the world of modern crime. Crap!
When I did my research;here was the lead in "The Birdman of Alcatraz" and an oscar winner for a flick called "Elmer Gantry."
Lancaster was crucial to the success of this film. This philosophical narrative required an actor with a theatrical background who was prepared to skillfully overplay each scene. That he did.
I believe this film would wonderfully translate to the stage. The theatrical dialogue is there, you would just have to get a little creative with the set.
Burt Lancaster makes us feel sorry for him. A highly challenging task for any actor.
He illustrates the power that denial plays in any humans life. A person in denial appears blissfully unaware of the wreckage falling on top of them.
Denial in this way IS a distorted choice.
DENIAL is dangerous-it kills and prevents.
This is all too evident in the final scene
Nothing survives denial.
A strong film before its time that holds an important message for ALL of us today.

Here and now, Jax.