So recently, one morning, I joined my family for a late breakfast, when we, on a whim, decided to play hooky and see a movie that all of us were excited about: Swiss Army Man. This independent film, directed and written by Daniels (Dan Kwan and Daniel Schienert), stars Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe in a surreal adventure in the woods featuring a stranded man named Hank on an island, a dead body named Manny, and his magical powers that caters to every need. My family and I wasted no time in packing ourselves into the car, and driving over to the movies. We were on a quest; an adventure, and when we got out, we were not disappointed. No other indie film has captured my attention and excited me more, and I believe this is a movie that everyone should see at least once. So let me explain why you must see Swiss Army Man.
The Story
The movie centers around protagonist Hank (Paul Dano), who after deserted on an island for who knows how long, and about to end his own life, finally escapes by riding on a swept up dead body (Daniel Radcliffe), like a jet ski. After they reach land and Hank starts to blindly make his way back home, the corpse, named Manny, starts to come to life. He is curious about the world and also seems to have magical powers that cater to anything Hank may need, and thus begins a surreal adventure that ventures on the question on how far you would go to make one person happy, how we should live life, and what exactly makes us human.
The Characters
The two main characters, Hank and Manny, are not only relatable, but also endearing. I would never have thought that I would say that I found a dead body endearing, but that is the wonder of who is known as Daniel Radcliffe. Without spoiling too much, it's like our two main characters help each other without even knowing it. While Hank teaches Manny the ways of the world, Manny not only becomes more alive but also gives insight on how Hank should live his life too, because, at the very core of this movie, it's a buddy film; the best one that can ever be.
It's HILARIOUS and in the most inappropriate way possible.
This is a movie that isn't for kids, and yes, I see you! Please don't bring them...please? There is a lotof... physical-related humor, so I'm just going to have to let you figure that out on your own when you see it. Just know that it is inappropriate, but other times, you get to see Manny used as a jet ski, a water source, a gun, and a whole lot of other tools. It's amazing.
It's GORGEOUS and MAGICAL.
The setting mainly takes place in what looks to be the northern California wilderness, but throughout the course of the film, Hank starts creating replicas of objects and places from the real world from the woods around him for Manny, and creates a beautiful new world for him and his friend, and the movie gives you the chance to sit back, relax, and take it all in. What more is there to say? Nature is beautiful and Swiss Army Man proves it.
The Music.
It's spectacular. It's mainly acapella, with the occasional singing of the Jurassic Park theme song every now and then (because it's awesome). The movie lives and breathes music, motivating the tone of every scene, without ever making it awkward. You just can't help but smile! In summary, the music is joyous.
It's DIFFERENT and ORIGINAL.
Now I don't want to sound more like a broken record, but this is the truth: there is not enough originality anymore. I hate to say this, but it's like movie companies don't want to take chances with new content. But think about when this industry started! Way back when, when people recognized that this new invention that has been created was going to start something big. When it started to become a new art form of expression. Actors, writers, directors, and everyone behind the scenes, cameramen, makeup artists, editors, visual effect artists, and set designers, are storytellers. They're creators, weaving characters, settings, and most importantly, stories, to enthrall audiences, to make them think, laugh, and cry. Because that's what filmmaking is all about. We go to the movies to feel, to become someone else that we're not, imagine that we are magical beings for just for an hour or two. We go to grasp little bits of humanity and hold them close to our hearts. That is what Swiss Army Man has done and I cannot wait to see what this brings in the world of cinema. I now leave you with a GIF of Hank and Manny riding the waves like a jet ski. Enjoy and I hope that you check out this wonderfully weird film.
