Big River Man

Big River Man

When I see a swimmer, I paint a drowned man.

Directed by John Maringouin

Produced by Lightshow pictures

2009100 min6.6 / 10

A documentary portrait of human obsession and endurance set against the Amazon's majesty and danger, where one man's extreme physical challenge becomes a meditation on mortality and meaning.

Follows Martin Strel as he attempts to cover 3,375 miles of the Amazon River in what is being billed as the world's longest swim.

Questions people ask

  • Is Big River Man violent? Barely. Less violent than 76% of films.

  • Does Big River Man end with hope? Somewhat. More hopeful than 70% of films.

  • Is Big River Man sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is Big River Man scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is Big River Man easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

54/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity95

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise27

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love50

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Big River Man

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Big River Man

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Big River Man, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Big River Man, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Big River Man, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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