Swallow is a drama movie written and directed by Carlo Mirabella-Davis, starring Haley Bennett.
The dramatic story told in a pristine setting, with immaculate photography and outstanding performances.
Synopsis
Living a picture perfect life, a young married woman starts ingesting all kinds of strange objects. The situation becomes disconcerting when she is getting ever closer to living up to her surroundings’ expectations.
Movie Review
At a slow pace we are immersed into a story by following the protagonist through the most exquisite catalogue of house decor and gourmet cooking. The photography is close to flawless. A trait that is very much in line with what the protagonist is expected to be and tries mightily to live up to. Haley Benett takes on the role of this housewife with finesse, also managing to portray how the character discovers (with a childish enthusiasm) and further develops the strange habit of ingesting objects – it is a syndrome, and it has a name PICA – with equal repose. Her performance is outstanding.
The story-line is novel, and original, it flows without any abrupt interruptions, and grants us closure in the end, in an unpredictable way. It is well rounded, and well narrated. The excellent visuals and colors in the set create an interesting contrast to the sad story being told. Very psychological and intimate in its approach, we can but empathize with her, the young lonely housewife, as we follow how her character evolves.
It has the ability of reaching a climax without big gestures, and obvious and violent maneuvers. Subtle, elegant, with an engaging narrative, and visually impeccable (both in setting and photography), this is a really good movie.
This movie manages to provide a fluid narrative, with unpredictable turns, without hiding nor recurring to the tricks of a mainstream thriller, and keeps us engaged all the way through.
Other Reviews
“Hunter lives in the 21st century as if she were a woman from the 1950s (…) The idea is cartoonish in its essence but the pic is shot and played with such straight-faced realism that ‘Swallow’ becomes utterly ridiculous.”
Caryn James: The Hollywood Reporter
“This unpredictable film is a staggering accomplishment in its storytelling, visuals, and performance (…) The bracing ‘Swallow’ might make you faint”
Lena Wilson: The Playlist
