“Blu-ray or Bust” - SWISS ARMY MAN

“Blu-ray or Bust”

SWISS ARMY MAN (2016, R, 97 minutes, A24/COLD IRON PICTURES)

If I were asked to describe the plot of this film in ten words or less, I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t even want to try.

This quirky, imaginative little gem was written and directed by two guys named “Daniel”, and stars Paul Dano and (almost-excessive Daniel alert!) Daniel Radcliff. Paul is “Hank”, a guy that has been stranded on a tiny, deserted island in the Pacific. As he balances atop a cooler, a noose tied around his neck, on the cusp of stepping off and ending his dismal life, Harry Potter washes up on shore. And Harry (actually his name in this film is “Manny”, but he is kinda magical) has gas.

What progresses from there is a film about survival, death, friendship, hopelessness, fire, sex, a dancing boner/compass, “Jurassic Park”, excessive crying, an angry bear, trash, anatomy, and, ultimately, farts. It is all that, and so much more. Now, pay close attention to this part, because it is important: if you don’t like quirky, if you do not appreciate the fine art of snark and tongue-in-cheek cinema, DO NOT WATCH THIS FILM. You will not appreciate it. However… for anyone that is a fan of all things Terry Gilliam, or films like AMELIE, BIG FISH, and/or THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, this is your movie.

In the Daniels’s vision, the human body does things it shouldn’t (there are several wonderful scenes of Hank using Manny for many practical uses—hence the title), the laws of physics kind of takes a holiday, and sound becomes just as important as the visuals. If this film can be pigeonholed as a film about farts, it can also be classified as one of the best uses of sound and sound editing that you are likely to (hear) this year. From the score, to the effects, to Dano and Radcliff doing the theme to the aforementioned dinosaur movie, it is easy to see this being nominated for at least one Oscar come February.

The special features include an hour long Q&A with the filmmakers and the sound guys—hosted, of course, by a guy that works for Dolby. If you can ignore the shameful plugs, it provides more info than you thought you would ever need concerning sound as an art. But with SWISS, it is. There is also a behind-the-scenes doc showing how they built the wonderful sets, how they got Dano to ride Radcliff “like a jet ski”, and how they made the dancing wiener.

This is the first major production by The Danielses. The fact that they attracted two rather talented actors to this project is promising; not many first feature directors get the talent that they did to perform what is so obviously a close-knit production. Bravo to all those involved, and let’s hope Hollywood doesn’t brush you guys off. There is talent here—as much behind the camera as there is in front.

Film Grade: A

Special Features: B

Blu-ray Necessary: Most definitely (it is totally necessary JUST FOR THE SOUND)

-- T.S. Kummelman