Yes No Maybe So: Swallow
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 8:00PM by Jason Adams
Swallow, the first feature film from director Carlo Mirabella-Davis and starring a transfixing Haley Bennett as a real housewife whose solitude gets the best of her, has been bouncing around all of the film festivals for the past year or so. And you knew it every time it hit a new one because you'd see that oh look, Haley Bennett won another acting award. Another trophy for the heap! I got to see the film at Tribeca last May where I reviewed it here, calling her "RIVETING." No really I did...
... you know I did because they used that single word in the just-released trailer for the film. Look at me, ma, I'm in the pictures! Anyway I had a lot more to say about the movie, but "RIVETING" captures that essence fine. You'll all be able to find out for yourselves on March 6th when the film hits "select theaters" as well as VOD, but for now let's take a little bit of a deeper dive into this "RIVETING" trailer, shall we?
YES
Haley Bennett -- Truth be told I've been waiting for a juicy role like this for Haley ever since she played the stock Araki role of "wise-ass sexy girl friend" in Gregg Araki's Kaboom in 2010 -- there's a lot of hot guys without clothes on in that movie so when I tell you that she stole the whole thing you should really believe me. Her work in as "Hunter" in Swallow is in an entirely different register, but hypnotic stuff -- her Stepford breathiness gives way to existential dread in sudden choking bursts.
Carlo Mirabella-Davis -- This is a terrific introductory first film, confident and assured not to mention absolutely gorgeous, belying what no doubt was a small budget with smart uses of color and space -- I can't wait to see he's got up his sleeve after this. He's also got a fascinating history himself and used the story of his own grandmother, who was sent to a mental institution for not being a good enough wife, to charge into fruitful metaphorical territory. I mentioned Todd Haynes film [safe] in my review and I meant it.
NO
I wouldn't exactly call this a hard no but since I need to find one thing to say here I'll say that Austin Stowell, playing Hunter's husband Richie, isn't entirely up to her level; the film might land a smidge harder if we were ever on his character's side for a moment, which I don't recall ever being, even when Hunter's antics are at their worst.
MAYBE SO
Elizabeth Marvel -- Elizabeth Marvel is never a "maybe" not ever, she's too good for "maybe" but she's not in the movie nearly enough, even though the trailer plays it up that she might be. You certainly want more of her as Richie's most understanding (for a time anyway) mother. Never mind the also-billed Denis O'Hare, who's there even less. Swallow truly is a one woman show when it comes down to it, but what a woman.
The horror, the horror -- When the film played Tribeca there was word of people fainting at screenings, and I've heard of it happening since as well, so be forewarned. The scenes detailing Hunter's eating disorder, known as "Pica" and which involves the desire to swallow items such as nails and marbles that should definitely not be swallowed, are traumatic. You should be prepared for that going in.
Swallow hits theaters and VOD on March 6th!
Reader Comments (6)
I saw the trailer for this, Promising Young Woman, and Invisible Man within minutes of each other a few days ago. They all quickly became must see films for me. I'm glad to hear that Swallow has more going for it than the shock value of the subject matter.
This looks interesting and I'm glad Haley Bennett is getting some meaty roles. She's actually really good.
She’s a really good actress. I think her career never really kicks off because she looks way too much like Jennifer Lawrence and Hollywood doesn’t know to react to that. I first saw her what, over 10 years ago in Music & Lyrics? That Hugh Grant / Drew Barrymore guilty pleasure.
She really impressed me in The Girl On The Train (second best in show behind Emily Blunt) - though I’m a bigger fan of that movie than most...
Excited to see this - great article!
I saw the movie last week and really enjoyed it.
I loved Bennett's performance (her best since Kaboom imo), she's handling this very complex role beautifully. I thought Denis O'Hare gave a terrific, though indeed too brief, performance as well.
I'm very excited about the director's next work as this is a very promising debut.
Love the images - the idea is disturbing- I would say a maybe