MovieChat Forums > The Swimmer (1968) Discussion > This is why the ending (and the premise ...

This is why the ending (and the premise of the film) dont work [SPOILER]

posted 8 years ago by skat1140
3 replies | jump to latest

SPOILERS
SPOILERS
SPOILERS
Obviously

So, Ned does NOT live at "his house". His wife is NOT there. Nor are his kids. They are long gone. The house is abandoned for some reason (you'd think it would be sold, if Ned's wife-- who "had all the money"-- left him). But OK.

Somehow Ned (from whereever he has been living) finds his way back to his old haunts and is reacquainting himself with his neighbors.

YET, not one of the people who encounter Ned know that: 1) his house is unoccupied and desolate (and has been for some time), 2) his wife and kids are gone.

This just isn't credible.

This is a upper-upper class community, which is very concerned with status. Everyone talks about everything and knows about everyone else. Ned's house being abandoned would be a HUGE story. They'd all know if Ned's wife and the kids had left. They'd all know that his mansion was abandoned and shuttered. Yet, every single person he encounters has no idea that this is the case.

So, while I applaud the movie for its originality, it just not plausible that the movie, as it is presented, works. Still a great movie, though. (I'll bet the short story on which the movie was based had a more credible set-up.)

[–] MisterDenton 8 years ago

I don't think the movie works from a logical standpoint, but personally I don't really care. I don't think that was the chief concern of the filmmakers. The entire film is surreal and is all about creating feeling, which it does extremely effectively. Just my opinion though.

[–] toshguy 8 years ago

Didn't you notice the queer looks most of Ned's old neighbors kept giving each other? They indicated that they knew very well what Ned's situation was and that they were merely humoring him, realizing full well that he was delusional.

I'm here, Mr. Man, I cannot tell no lie and I'll be right here till the day I die

[–] transmentalist 8 years ago

Didn't you notice the queer looks most of Ned's old neighbors kept giving each other? They indicated that they knew very well what Ned's situation was and that they were merely humoring him, realizing full well that he was delusional.

Exactly

A few, like Stu Forsburgh, just haven't been around lately and don't know what's up (he's flying right back out that day). His wife, Peggy, seemed to know something was up, but it's unclear at best.

Meanwhile, Don & Helen Westerhazy (owners of the first pool) seem to know everything.

It's particularly evident when he asks about that last house, as if he doesn't know the home of his own mistress, and Helen just whispers it: "Shirley Abbott."

Helen also looks mildly alarmed when Ned suggests that Peggy Forsburgh come over to visit Lucinda.

So the Westerhazys could be just humoring him, but it seems as if they genuinely like him and really have missed him.

Same with the Grahams (second pool): they're friendly with him, but react with concern (and discretion) when Ned starts talking about his daughters at home (they'd been assuming he was talking about selling the place, presumably post-divorce).

Actually, it seems like pretty much everyone knows except Julie the babysitter and, ironically, Shirley the ex-mistress.