On a Clear Day

A 55-year-old who has worked his whole life at a shipyard is suddenly laid off and decides to swim the English Channel to prove his worth in this inspirational and comedic drama., Comedy drama about a Glasgow shipbuilder who struggles to regain his living and pride when he is laid off after decades working on the docks. Determined to salvage his self-esteem and tackle his demons without the help of his wife and son, the taciturn father attempts a stern test of endurance by swimming the English Channel., More than 30 years on the Clydeside docks leaves Frank with nothing when he’s laid off. Down but not beaten, the docker resolves to swim the Channel., A 55-year-old shipworker is laid off from his job, and decides to swim the English Channel in order to find meaning and regain control his own fate., A middle-aged man gives himself the challenge of a lifetime in this comedy drama from the U.K. Frank (Peter Mullan) has spent most of his 55 years working the same job in the shipyards of Glasgow until he’s fired after business tapers off and technology makes his position unnecessary. While Frank tries to put on a brave face, he has no idea of what to do next or what sort of work he should find. Frank’s embarrassment gets much worse when he applies for unemployment benefits, only to discover his sister-in-law Angela (Jodhi May) is working behind the corner. As Frank’s anxiety grows worse, he begins having panic attacks, leading to sympathy from his wife, Joan (Brenda Blethyn), and son, Rob (Jamie Sives), which only makes him feel more humiliated. One of Frank’s few respites from his troubles are his regular visits to a nearby community swimming pool, where he does laps with his pals Eddie (Sean McGinley), Norman (Ron Cook), and Danny (Billy Boyd). One day, one of them jokes about the possibility of swimming the English Channel, which is only 21 miles across at its narrowest point near Dover. However, Frank doesn’t think the idea is so silly, and begins training to make the journey; while at first his family and friends think he’s gone mad, his plans give him a drive and a sense of purpose he hasn’t had since losing his job., Feel-good drama. Redundant and despondent, former ship-builder Frank finds a new goal in life after a passing remark about swimming the English Channel. However, his pride and taciturn nature prevent him from sharing this dream with his wife and son, further estranging them from him., 55 year-old and newly laid off from his job, Frank is not the likeliest candidate for an adventure. Feelings buried under years of routine and discipline compounded with a strained relationship with his grown son however leaves Frank faced with a sink or swim choice. So why not over the English channel?