On a clear day

The feature debut of Gaby Dellal, is about a guy Frank (Mullan) in his 50’s who without a job, decides to swim the channel. He conceals the idea from his wife Joan (Blethyn) but in carrying out this personal achievement, the plan may just help Frank to patches things up with his son.

A good cast, including the likes of Johdi May and Billy Boyd as well as the aforementioned actors, make light work of this human endurance drama which is good as far as it goes really. Its obviously some feat to swim the channel and the film is good in focusing on the other things including relationships that this feat affects.

The film reaches its high points on the beaches of France in the final reel and gives you a good idea what swimming the channel involves – its obviously a surprising thing to attempt for someone later in life and Mullan and Blethyn are good in the lead roles. It’s a refreshing film merely because its quite unusual.

Matt Arnoldi