“A BOOZY, SUBURBAN NIGHTMARE…haunts viewers with memories that linger for years.” – Sean Burns, Crooked Marquee

Before there was Mad Men, there was THE SWIMMER. One of the quintessential American films of the 1960s, THE SWIMMER is a sun-scorched and surreal suburban satire that boasts a hypnotic performance from the almighty Burt Lancaster as Ned Merrill, the all-American man who one day decides to swim home to his Connecticut mansion via a series of pools in his neighborhood. Promoted with the tagline “When you talk about The Swimmer, will you talk about yourself?” the film is at once a trip through the dark underbelly of suburban Americana, a searing indictment of toxic masculinity, and a journey deep into the self that anticipates the psychological self-exploration of the New Age era. Written and directed by husband-and-wife team Frank and Eleanor Perry (with some re-shoots by Sydney Pollack), this adaptation of John Cheever’s short story contains stunning expressionistic flourishes, creating a true masterpiece of cinema — the perfect watch for a summer Sunday that will make you long for winter’s cold embrace.

Before the film, we’ll be screening the Mad Men episode “The Summer Man,” which takes direct inspiration from The Swimmer. The pre-show will begin at 4:15 pm.

This film is screening as part of Arkadin’s POOL PARTY series, featuring movies that allow you to beat the summer heat (vicariously) by taking a dip in the cool waters of a swimming pool, even as mystery, murder and heartbreak lurk on the horizon…

Arkadin does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. However, we encourage researching titles to determine if a screening may contain content that could be upsetting to you. Please feel free to contact us for guidance on specific films. Information about content can also be found on Common Sense Media, IMDB and DoesTheDogDie.com, as well as through general internet searches.