SWISS ARMY MAN 2 stars Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead; not rated, probable R (profanity, comic nudity and vulgar humor); Sundance
In the opening sequence of "Swiss Army Man," actor Paul Dano pilots a human jet ski across the ocean on the power of its flatulence. The human jet ski is a dead body played by Daniel Radcliffe, better known to the world as Harry Potter.
That should give you a good idea of what to expect from "Swiss Army Man," a film that has been getting attention at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival for its bizarre mix of adolescent potty humor with touching musings on the meaning of life. It won't be the best film to emerge from this year's festival, but it might be the one that sticks with viewers the longest.
Dano plays Hank, a 20-something man stranded on a deserted island after depression led him to sail into the unknown. Right as he's about to kill himself, he notices that a body has washed up on shore, and abandons his plan. His hopes for companionship are dashed when he discovers that the body is deceased and extremely gassy, but eventually decides said gassiness is the key to his salvation.
This opening leads our heroes to another new wilderness, where the bulk of "Swiss Army Man" takes place. Feeling indebted to the body, Hank drags it with him through the forest as he tries to relocate civilization. He also talks to it (naming it Manny), and in a desperate attempt to keep hold of his own sanity, he imagines it speaking back to him.
What follows is surreal, sweet and frequently head-shaking. It's often unclear whether what's happening is intended to reflect Hank's confused state of mind or if it's just the directors gleefully poking the audience with a stick. The flatulence remains as a kind of running gag, but Hank soon finds that Manny has a variety of utilities that can help him to obtain food and perform other essential survival tasks.
Hank imagines Manny as a virtual newborn, and so they discuss a variety of topics, many of which steer towards lifes baser functions. But underneath all the potty humor and goofiness, "Swiss Army Man" betrays real emotion and sensitivity. Hank is driven in part by his determination to finally talk to a pretty girl (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) he always sees on a public bus, and his conversations with Manny give him identity and purpose.
"Swiss Army Man" defiantly maintains an air of fun and silliness throughout, and it's hard to tell whether directors Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert want to inspire their audience or make fun of the kind of movies that manipulate audiences into thinking theyre being inspired.
In a way, criticism of the film feels beside the point. You can talk about pacing and tone and delivery, but none of that seems to matter. You get the feeling that "Swiss Army Man" is exactly what it wants to be. But there's no way of knowing what that really is.
It might be best to describe "Swiss Army Man" as one of those films that requires "the right kind of crowd." Its the kind of movie that can be a blast with the right group of friends at the right time of night, but that falls flat in the light of day. Reports from "Swiss Army Man's" Sundance premier had people heading for the exits early and in droves, but the crowd at the Grand Theater Saturday night laughed constantly and applauded wildly at the closing credits.
Like most Sundance entries, "Swiss Army Man" is unrated. But it would land on the soft end of the R-rated spectrum for profanity, comic nudity and plenty of vulgar humor (including another running gag about Manny getting an erection). There are any number of individual elements that might be considered offensive, and sensitive audiences should steer clear.
At the same time, "Swiss Army Man" feels offensive the way the behavior of an irreverent 12-year-old feels offensive. The movie is childish and childlike at the same time. That may be its greatest paradox, and its greatest achievement.
"Swiss Army Man" is not rated, but probable R for profanity, comic nudity and vulgar humor; running time: 95 minutes.
In the opening sequence of "Swiss Army Man," actor Paul Dano pilots a human jet ski across the ocean on the power of its flatulence. The human jet ski is a dead body played by Daniel Radcliffe, better known to the world as Harry Potter.
That should give you a good idea of what to expect from "Swiss Army Man," a film that has been getting attention at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival for its bizarre mix of adolescent potty humor with touching musings on the meaning of life. It won't be the best film to emerge from this year's festival, but it might be the one that sticks with viewers the longest.
Dano plays Hank, a 20-something man stranded on a deserted island after depression led him to sail into the unknown. Right as he's about to kill himself, he notices that a body has washed up on shore, and abandons his plan. His hopes for companionship are dashed when he discovers that the body is deceased and extremely gassy, but eventually decides said gassiness is the key to his salvation.
This opening leads our heroes to another new wilderness, where the bulk of "Swiss Army Man" takes place. Feeling indebted to the body, Hank drags it with him through the forest as he tries to relocate civilization. He also talks to it (naming it Manny), and in a desperate attempt to keep hold of his own sanity, he imagines it speaking back to him.
What follows is surreal, sweet and frequently head-shaking. It's often unclear whether what's happening is intended to reflect Hank's confused state of mind or if it's just the directors gleefully poking the audience with a stick. The flatulence remains as a kind of running gag, but Hank soon finds that Manny has a variety of utilities that can help him to obtain food and perform other essential survival tasks.
Hank imagines Manny as a virtual newborn, and so they discuss a variety of topics, many of which steer towards lifes baser functions. But underneath all the potty humor and goofiness, "Swiss Army Man" betrays real emotion and sensitivity. Hank is driven in part by his determination to finally talk to a pretty girl (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) he always sees on a public bus, and his conversations with Manny give him identity and purpose.
"Swiss Army Man" defiantly maintains an air of fun and silliness throughout, and it's hard to tell whether directors Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert want to inspire their audience or make fun of the kind of movies that manipulate audiences into thinking theyre being inspired.
In a way, criticism of the film feels beside the point. You can talk about pacing and tone and delivery, but none of that seems to matter. You get the feeling that "Swiss Army Man" is exactly what it wants to be. But there's no way of knowing what that really is.
It might be best to describe "Swiss Army Man" as one of those films that requires "the right kind of crowd." Its the kind of movie that can be a blast with the right group of friends at the right time of night, but that falls flat in the light of day. Reports from "Swiss Army Man's" Sundance premier had people heading for the exits early and in droves, but the crowd at the Grand Theater Saturday night laughed constantly and applauded wildly at the closing credits.
Like most Sundance entries, "Swiss Army Man" is unrated. But it would land on the soft end of the R-rated spectrum for profanity, comic nudity and plenty of vulgar humor (including another running gag about Manny getting an erection). There are any number of individual elements that might be considered offensive, and sensitive audiences should steer clear.
At the same time, "Swiss Army Man" feels offensive the way the behavior of an irreverent 12-year-old feels offensive. The movie is childish and childlike at the same time. That may be its greatest paradox, and its greatest achievement.
"Swiss Army Man" is not rated, but probable R for profanity, comic nudity and vulgar humor; running time: 95 minutes.
