Deborah Kennedy

Tim (Mel Gibson) is a young man with below average intelligence. After he begins to work at his friend Mary's house, people become suspicious of their growing relationship and accuse Mary of taking advantage of Tim's innocence.

Tim -- Mary Horton, a lonely middle-aged American career woman, hires a handsome, mildly retarded young handyman named Tim. At first keeping her distance, Mary is drawn closer to Tim as time passes. When Tim's mother dies, Mary becomes his surrogate mother, a relationship that deepens into romantic love. Tim's older sister resents Mary's 'intrusion' into their lives, but his Ron blesses the relationship, realizing that it is beneficial to both parties.

Young Tony Fingleton has a very distant relationship with his distant father, Harold (Geoffrey Rush), and "Swimming Upstream" depicts the dedication it took to win his respect. Born into a large family and convinced by his father that he will never amount to the achievements of his brothers, Tony attempts to win his father's respect by becoming a champion swimmer. Despite his best efforts to please his father, Tony also begins to realize his own self-worth in the process.

Mary Horton, a lonely middle-aged American career woman, hires a handsome, mildly retarded young handyman named Tim. At first keeping her distance, Mary is drawn closer to Tim as time passes. When Tim's mother dies, Mary becomes his surrogate mother, a relationship that deepens into romantic love. Tim's older sister resents Mary's "intrusion" into their lives, but his Ron blesses the relationship, realizing that it is beneficial to both parties.