Swiss Army Man - Review
Director: Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan
Starring: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
During a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Daniel Radcliffe described Swiss Army Man as an amalgamation between the Farrelly brothers and Terrence Malick - two filmmakers whose works barely exist in the same realm. Naturally, this consensus of the film piqued my interest; just how wacky is Swiss Army Man? Wonderfully so.
Stranded on a desert island with the possibility of rescue diminishing, Hank (Paul Dano) is moments away from committing suicide when a body washes upon the shore. Calling him Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) and discovering that he harnesses astonishing powers, Hank uses his abilities to survive in the wilderness and the two form an inseparable bond that defies all comprehension.
Swiss Army Man, without a doubt, is one of the most singularly unique cinema-going experiences that you are likely to ever have. Consider this an astonishing feat as the cinematic climate is dominated by CGI driven spectacles, sequels, re-boots and adaptations galore. The alchemy fabricated by the two directing Daniels is so particular that no concoction of quirky elements can exceed their intricately measured and expertly prepared creation - the feeling when watching Swiss Army Man is one that cannot be replicated - certainly not any time soon, or maybe not ever.
Admirable for not only its originality but its unflinching attitude, the film is wholly unapologetic and embracing of its weirdness, self-evident within the film's earliest scenes and never subsides. On the brink of suicide, Hank discovers a farting dead body on the beach. That's within the first five minutes. In the five minutes that proceed, Hank climbs aboard the corpses's back and pulls down its underpants to propel them through the water, powered by the deceased man's expelling of gas. Later, Hank discovers that Manny's erect penis can act as a compass, he can produce fresh water from his mouth and his arms double as wood choppers. Yes, it really does go there. But with time to adjust to its ridiculousness, an incredible score and surprising emotional beats, you'll soon find yourself immersed in the absurd vision.
Deftly handling brave and dynamic dashing of puerile, uncharted humour and peppering of life-affirming, genuinely touching emotion, Swiss Army Man triumphs in circumstances where you'd expect it to fail. The balancing act of incorporating both levity and thought-provoking ideas into a single scene, sometimes within a single line of dialogue, is masterful to behold. Never would you think that a conversation about withholding flatulence from your friends could so strongly challenge the way you view the odd norms and customs that exist in society. Against all odds and any sane thought, Swiss Army Man does just that.
Not to be forgotten are the performances given from Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe who pour their everything into their roles, especially Radcliffe who demonstrates his finest work since his boy wizard days. Portraying a corpse may sound like a walk in the graveyard, but having to be physically manipulated for the slightest movements such as a re-positioning his unsupportive neck must have been an arduous process. Not only is his physicality remarkable, his unmoved facial expressions still convey deep thought and growing understanding as Manny has to re-learn the ways of the world. Radcliffe's performance as Manny is one that should be remembered come awards season.
Undeniably the most eccentric cinematic tale told in the last decade, Swiss Army Man should leave you feeling thoroughly amused, but also empowered to live life a little more boldly; whether that be talking to a complete stranger on a bus or passing gas in front of your nearest and dearest.
EB
Starring: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
During a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Daniel Radcliffe described Swiss Army Man as an amalgamation between the Farrelly brothers and Terrence Malick - two filmmakers whose works barely exist in the same realm. Naturally, this consensus of the film piqued my interest; just how wacky is Swiss Army Man? Wonderfully so.Stranded on a desert island with the possibility of rescue diminishing, Hank (Paul Dano) is moments away from committing suicide when a body washes upon the shore. Calling him Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) and discovering that he harnesses astonishing powers, Hank uses his abilities to survive in the wilderness and the two form an inseparable bond that defies all comprehension.
Swiss Army Man, without a doubt, is one of the most singularly unique cinema-going experiences that you are likely to ever have. Consider this an astonishing feat as the cinematic climate is dominated by CGI driven spectacles, sequels, re-boots and adaptations galore. The alchemy fabricated by the two directing Daniels is so particular that no concoction of quirky elements can exceed their intricately measured and expertly prepared creation - the feeling when watching Swiss Army Man is one that cannot be replicated - certainly not any time soon, or maybe not ever.
Admirable for not only its originality but its unflinching attitude, the film is wholly unapologetic and embracing of its weirdness, self-evident within the film's earliest scenes and never subsides. On the brink of suicide, Hank discovers a farting dead body on the beach. That's within the first five minutes. In the five minutes that proceed, Hank climbs aboard the corpses's back and pulls down its underpants to propel them through the water, powered by the deceased man's expelling of gas. Later, Hank discovers that Manny's erect penis can act as a compass, he can produce fresh water from his mouth and his arms double as wood choppers. Yes, it really does go there. But with time to adjust to its ridiculousness, an incredible score and surprising emotional beats, you'll soon find yourself immersed in the absurd vision.
Deftly handling brave and dynamic dashing of puerile, uncharted humour and peppering of life-affirming, genuinely touching emotion, Swiss Army Man triumphs in circumstances where you'd expect it to fail. The balancing act of incorporating both levity and thought-provoking ideas into a single scene, sometimes within a single line of dialogue, is masterful to behold. Never would you think that a conversation about withholding flatulence from your friends could so strongly challenge the way you view the odd norms and customs that exist in society. Against all odds and any sane thought, Swiss Army Man does just that.
Not to be forgotten are the performances given from Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe who pour their everything into their roles, especially Radcliffe who demonstrates his finest work since his boy wizard days. Portraying a corpse may sound like a walk in the graveyard, but having to be physically manipulated for the slightest movements such as a re-positioning his unsupportive neck must have been an arduous process. Not only is his physicality remarkable, his unmoved facial expressions still convey deep thought and growing understanding as Manny has to re-learn the ways of the world. Radcliffe's performance as Manny is one that should be remembered come awards season.
Undeniably the most eccentric cinematic tale told in the last decade, Swiss Army Man should leave you feeling thoroughly amused, but also empowered to live life a little more boldly; whether that be talking to a complete stranger on a bus or passing gas in front of your nearest and dearest.
EB
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