Yes, the first thing that I noticed was that some of the dialogues appeared staged or scripted rather than natural. There was also little about the storyline that was truly surprising. That being said, I wouldn't write this movie off just yet.
Once I had accepted that this movie wasn't going to win any Oscars, I began focussing on the elements that *were* enjoyable. As a former competitive swimmer, the intensity of training sessions throughout the day, the lack of sportsmanship between teams, and the suspense in winning by just 1/100 second were all recognisable. It was also pleasing to see the underwater shots of flip turns and the attention for peculiar techniques and considerations.
Moreover, the performance of the main actors is admirable. Their physique was unmistakably that of a competitive swimmer, and mind you - this is not something anyone could achieve in six months or something. These actors have clearly been swimming for years. Yet they've also managed to convey the story in a reasonably convincing manner. Assuming that they are swimmers first and actors second, they are really quite all right.
All in all, if you're looking for a story with unexpected turns or for subliminal acting, this might not be the movie for you. However, if you have any affinity with competitive swimming, I'd advise you to give it a shot. There's a good chance of finding many moments that are both relatable and entertaining.
