Ambitious and very likable movie with a few flaws

The Swimmers is the incredible story of swimming sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini who fled as refugees from war-torn Syria all the way to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Sounds like a fairy tale? Well, it isn’t. This is all true. Brutal and heart warming, life affirming and life threatening, beautiful and ugly.

And yes, there is German super star Matthias Schweighöfer as the coach making it all happen after the sisters arrive in Berlin. Look, I’m not trying to mock this movie. There is so much to like about this inspirational story.

Having said that I was left a little bit underwhelmed by the all too sweet plot and the rather smooth ride they had. Yes, it’s easier that way to make people connect; but a bit more grit would have been welcome.