“On A Clear Day,” the Sundance screened film from director Gaby Dellal, could be inspirational and heartwarming- if it wasn’t so dull.

The film tells the story of 55-year-old Frank Redmond (Peter Mullan), who finds himself laid off from his job as a shipbuilder in Glasgow. Lacking confidence and purpose, he decides to swim the English Channel. His wife, Joan (Brenda Blethyn), is kept in the dark about his plans, but Frank’s friends (Billy Boyd, Ron Cook, Sean McGinley, Benedict Wong) are only too eager to help him meet his goal.

“On A Clear Day” is one of those “motivational” movies where each character learns something about themselves before the end of the film. Frank’s friends are all inspired by him and they all in turn make changes in their own lives. Frank’s estranged son, played by Jamie Sives, also falls into this category, but he manages to make it a little less cheesy- which is a major testament to his acting skills. The same cannot be said for Blethyn who annoyingly pouts and screeches her way through the film. The film’s second act has real problems and will leave audiences struggling to stay awake. It simply loses momentum, prompting movie-goers to glance at their watches and take a few bathroom breaks.

Despite the cast’s best attempts, “On A Clear Day” will leave you wading through murky water.