Against the Current

Paul Thompson, a financial writer struggling with a tragic past, decides to do something special and unique to distinguish himself. Having always wanted to swim the 150 miles of the lower Hudson River, he recruits his best friend, Jeff, and new acquaintance, Liz, to accompany him on a physical and emotional journey exploring friendship, grief, and how we cope when what we lose is greater than what life has to offer. Beautifully nuanced and restrained, Against the Current swells with friendship and human folly. Playful dialogue entices as smart writing and stellar performances immediately immerse us in the unfulfilled lives of these three characters: a profoundly sad man, a failed actor in an unhappy marriage, and a woman yearning for more while dealing with the pressures of dealing with her mother. The simplicity of this well-crafted narrative is what makes it so beautiful. We can't always understand the decisions others make, but writer/director Peter Callahan adeptly illustrates the intensely complicated dynamics of human relationships and just how far we're willing to go to support those we love.