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Sports drama

Sink or Swim (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Sink or Swim (2019) movie poster

Sink or Swim is a 2019 sports drama starring Mathieu Amalric as Bertrand, Benoît Poelvoorde and Marina Foïs. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes and earned $39.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10.

IMDb rating
7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
79%
worldwide gross
$39.2M
Echo Score
67
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Sink or Swim (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Genres
Drama , Sport , Comedy
Original language
French
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sink or Swim About?

The premise of Sink or Swim without spoilers.

A group of middle-aged men unexpectedly come together to form their town's first all-male synchronized swimming team. Facing skepticism and laughter, they train under the watchful eye of a former champion seeking her own comeback. Through dedication and perseverance, the team strives to find camaraderie, self-respect, and a renewed sense of purpose in the unusual world of competitive synchronized swimming.

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Cast & crew

Sink or Swim Cast & Characters

Mathieu Amalric leads the cast as Bertrand, with Benoît Poelvoorde as Marcus and Marina Foïs as Claire.

Also Starring in Sink or Swim

· 6 more
Ratings

Sink or Swim Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sink or Swim 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 47 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

67 /100

Sink or Swim Echo Score Breakdown

Sink or Swim delivers a generally agreeable yet occasionally uninspired take on the underdog comedy-drama. The ensemble cast provides engaging moments of humor and warmth, but the film’s reliance on familiar genre conventions and uneven pacing sometimes slows its momentum. Visual and directional choices are competent but rarely distinctive, and the thematic exploration of midlife despair resonates inconsistently. Ultimately, the movie offers a pleasant but predictable viewing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits competent direction and clear production values, particularly in its portrayal of synchronized swimming sequences. Critics note confident comic timing yet point to an overall absence of visual innovation or stylistic flair. Editing maintains narrative clarity but lacks dynamic transitions. The technical execution supports the story effectively without elevating the presentation to a distinctive cinematic showcase.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble delivers warmth through nuanced performances that capture middle-aged insecurities and camaraderie. Reviews praise the cast’s chemistry and moments of genuine emotional resonance, highlighting portrayals that feel authentic. Some criticism arises from limited character development in supporting roles. The film ultimately sustains engagement through a broadly appealing emotional core anchored by its lead performers.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative embraces a conventional underdog structure, interwoven with light comedic beats and moments of levity. Critics point to predictable plotting and intermittent pacing lulls, though others commend coherent progression and occasional genuine humor. The screenplay balances dramatic stakes with uplifting resolutions, yet its reliance on familiar tropes limits originality. Overall, the plot remains serviceable and moderately engaging.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film employs crisp sound design and an understated visual palette suited to its comedic-drama tone. Scenes of synchronized swimming receive clear acoustic detail and measured framing, enhancing their emotional impact. However, the musical score and overall stylistic approach adhere closely to genre norms without significant innovation. The sensory elements effectively support the narrative while offering limited distinctiveness.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch factor, Sink or Swim offers modest replay value through its warm humor and relatable character dynamics. Select comedic highlights and engaging performances encourage a second viewing, yet predictable narrative arcs and restrained stylistic choices lessen lasting appeal. Viewers may appreciate revisiting key emotional moments, but the film’s overall familiarity prevents it from becoming a standout repeat favorite.

Box office

Sink or Swim Box Office

Sink or Swim grossed $39.2 million worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$39.2M

International
$39.2M
Videos

Sink or Swim Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Sink or Swim.

Sink or Swim / Le Grand Bain (2018) - Excerpt (English Subs)
Details

Sink or Swim Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Ou Nadas ou Afundas” and “Um Banho de Vida”.

Also known as
  • Ou Nadas ou Afundas
  • Um Banho de Vida
  • Peldi vai grimsti
  • Непотопляемые
  • Do plaviek!
  • Щасливі невдахи
  • Κολύμπα ή Αλλιώς Βυθίσου
  • 浮沉大叔
  • 수영장으로 간 남자들
  • 7 uomini a mollo
  • Utop se, nebo plav
  • El gran baño
+11 more
  • Szabadúszók
  • 大浴场
  • Непотопяемите
  • Niezatapialni
  • El gran bany
  • Ein Becken voller Männer
  • לשחות או לא להיות, დიდი აუზი
  • Baseino valdovai
  • Le grand bain
  • シンク・オア・スイム イチかバチか俺たちの夢
  • 囧叔大翻身

Seen Sink or Swim?

FAQ

Sink or Swim FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Sink or Swim, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Sink or Swim?

Sink or Swim runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

When was Sink or Swim released?

Sink or Swim was released on September 27, 2019.

Who is in the cast of Sink or Swim?

Sink or Swim stars Mathieu Amalric as Bertrand, Benoît Poelvoorde as Marcus and Marina Foïs as Claire, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Sink or Swim make at the box office?

Sink or Swim grossed $39.2 million worldwide.

How is Sink or Swim rated?

Sink or Swim has 7.8/10 on IMDb, 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 47 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Sink or Swim have a post-credit scene?

No. Sink or Swim has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Sink or Swim in?

The original language of Sink or Swim is French.

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