The Swimmers movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Swimmers

This dramatic movie is now available exclusively on Netflix.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 2 hours 14 minutes (way too long)

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini fled their home country of Syria in 2015 when their house was destroyed during the civil war. They journeyed to Lebanon and then onto Turkey where they arranged to be smuggled into Greece on a dinghy. However, the refugees were in the middle of the Aegean Sea when the engine of the overcrowded dinghy cut out and the pair, plus two others who could swim, were responsible for saving the lives of those on board. Just a year after their harrowing experience Yusra competed in two swimming events at the Rio Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic team.

The inspirational movie was directed by the Egyptian-Welsh Sally El Hosaini, who also co-wrote it with Jack Thorne. It combines sports and survival genres, based on true events.

THINGS I LIKED:

The cast was really great and completely believable in their portrayal of the real people this story is about. The most screen time went to the sisters played by Nathalie Issa and Manal Issa, sisters in real life!
Matthias Schweighof might be the only recognizable face in the cast. It was a pleasure to meet new actors.
The issue of refugees is controversial, yet important, especially as we see current countries devastated by war and natural disasters. The director stated that she hopes this movie will put the refugee conversation back on the table.
Actual refugees were used in the scenes with the rubber dinghy on the ocean. The seasickness and fainting were all real. The night scenes in the ocean, however, were filmed in a big pool.
The director did an excellent job painting images that were absolutely devastating and hopeful at the same time.
Yusra Mardini, the real-life Olympic swimmer did one of the stunts for the actress that was playing her in the movie!
Because of this movie, more attention will be given to the refugee crises around the world. You can learn more and take action at websites like Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. Share your words of inspiration and hope using #freehumanitarians
The scene with all of those life jackets…POWERFUL. Your eyes will be opened to the refugee crisis in the world.
It was inspiring to see modern young women from the Middle East and how they were so independent, hopeful, and educated about world events. It’s humbling how so many people around the world use English to communicate with one another.
I love that the Olympics made room for country-less athletes to compete. Kudos to the inclusive-thinking leaders who made that decision!
The end of the movie shows screen cards that tell you where the sisters and their cousin are now.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The movie is WAY too long. There are so many scenes that could have easily been shaved down or deleted altogether to get this film down to an acceptable length.