Swimfan (2002)

I'm not a fan of the movie, but I am a fan of its stars...
Like `Fear' meets `Fatal Attraction', yet not nearly half as good as either; `Swimfan' winds up being stale. Sure, it has it's moments but those moments are few and far in between. The best thing to be said about `Swimfan' is that it boasts some very decent performances by some very young up-and-comers (at the time they were up-and-coming, now they are no where to be seen, which is a shame because they are both talented). Yes, I'm talking about Erika Christensen and Jesse Bradford. Both actors nail their parts and deliver the only shred of enjoyment in this rather dull, irritatingly predictable teenage thriller.

The film revolves around a big mistake made by Ben Cronin. Ben has his whole life ahead of him. He has a beautiful girlfriend and a very promising swimming career, but he washes it all down the drain when he meets the mysterious and attractive Madison Bell. Madison is obviously attracted to Ben and even though he tries at first to resist her he can't overcome her persistence and eventually he makes that dire mistake that costs him everything. Once he has `been' with her he realizes he'll never be rid of her. She is convinced that he loves her and thus will stop at nothing to have him all to herself.

Like I said, the acting on the part of the two lead stars helps save this movie from complete and utter drivel. Bradford is very convincing as the teen overwhelmed by the heap of trouble he got himself into, and while the character of Madison Bell is a walking cliché Erika Christensen attacks the performance with vigor and dedication. It's a performance she could have easily phoned in but it's apparent she didn't.

The script is half baked and really falls apart in the end, and the film is put together rather sloppily. I never felt any real emotion. I was never scared, never even tense. I knew what was going to happen and I guessed the ending, which is sad.

There really isn't anything to look forward to when watching `Swimfan'.

I really wish that Bradford and Christensen would have had better careers. I haven't really seen them in anything recently, and that is a shame because they were both so promising. If you don't believe me then watch `Traffic' and see the performance the Academy overlooked. Christensen is masterful in that film, riveting and flawless. I remember when I first saw Bradford in `Bring it On' and I loved his charisma. He recently did `Happy Endings' and delivered, but was overshadowed by his co-stars. The fact that they could elevate this predictable mess is enough reason that they should have received better careers. Hopefully in time they will get them.

Fatal Attraction with Speedos
Jesse Bradford plays the star of his school swimming team .After some troubled times ,including a period in juvenile reformatory for drug use,he has turned his life around and is set fair to enjoy a good future.He is on the verge of acquiring a college scholarship ,has a beautiful and intelligent girl friend Amy , and a responsible job at the local hospital where he is highly thought of .Then he makes a potentially fatal slip -he sleeps with a new girl at school little knowing she has a history of making a play for the school jocks and turning downright nasty when her obsession with them is not reciprocated .She begins a gradually escalating reign of terror against our hero-losing him his job ,getting him throen off the swim team by interfering with a drugs test and driving a wedge between him and those he loves.Soon the campaign spreads to encompass murder and framing him for the crime.

The cast is personable and talented and while the plot is well worn to say the least -it is Fatal Attraction all over again-the movie is above average for the teen thriller genre and perfectly enjoyable for what it is

EDUCATIONAL MOVIE
Before anyone jumps on this review and attacks it, hear me out. I have three teenage sons who have and is dating some girls who are, putting it mildly, psycho stalkers. No matter how many talks that I give them, they just blow me off. So, last week I was thinking..hmmm, how can I reach my kids? Then I remembered Swimfan. I made them sit down and watch it. BINGO!!!! That is why I love this movie!