Swallow

Originality within the bounds of reality is a rare achievement in film or cinema these days. Haley Bennett leaves us under no illusion of the psychological strain her past and present circumstances have had and are having on her. Tormented in so many ways as so many people are in these confusing, evolving and ever changing times - our hunter gatherer minds can find all that's thrown their way a little tricky to wash down, but there are ways to compensate.

An interesting take on a weird condition, Swallow is well-crafted, very captivating film. Yet it feels like it lacks depth, like it lacks a real vision of the world and the characters at its core beyond its aesthetic qualities. A film worth watching but in my opinion it is a bit vacuous.

On the plus side this is a well-made movie and the location on the Hudson River above NYC is very picturesque. For me the main reason to enjoy this movie is the performance of Haley Bennett as the afflicted young wife, Hunter. She is really good in the role.

There is a malady called "pica" and if you look it up you'll find all those things depicted in this story, eating ice, swallowing metallic objects, eating paper, eating dirt, etc. The story attempts to tie Hunter's behavior to aspects of her birth and upbringing, and includes some sessions with a therapist, but the sum of its parts is muddled. We see the story arc but it does not tie up neatly into a whole story.

Hunter's new husband is the son of a very wealthy family and he himself is head of a corporation. The whole family, son, dad, mom, treat Hunter as a curiosity, a mystery to be solved, dictating what she should do, even forcing her to have a male nurse follow her at home 24/7 to make sure she quits swallowing things that might yet again send her to the hospital.

Naturally she reaches a breaking point and has to get out of the situation, but where does she go from there?

A moderately interesting movie, I watched it at home on DVD from my public library, my wife skipped.

A disturbing & distressing story of loneliness, trauma, compulsion & isolation that's driven by an exquisitely layered performance from its leading lady, Swallow follows a pregnant housewife living a seemingly idyllic but emotionally stifling domestic life until she develops an obsession that allows her to break free from her controlled & submissive environment.

Written & directed by Carlo Mirabella-Davis in his feature directorial debut, the story utilises a compulsive eating disorder as its narrative tool to cover a woman's journey from a subdued & compliant wife to regaining control over her body & life. The silent camerawork & gradual pace fit the premise, while the neat yet suffocating ambience aptly reflect her own domiciliary existence.

While it is unnerving & uncomfortable to watch her new obsession take over her life, even more unsettling is the lack of empathy from her husband & his parents as they tighten their grip over her life after learning about her psychological disorder. This is one story that never would've made it to the finish line without a strong performance to steer it through, and Haley Bennett more than delivers in that role.

Overall, Swallow is far from an easy sit and is also uneven at times but it manages to create intrigue & interest with its offbeat approach & eccentric story, and exhibits sophistication in several aspects. Bennet's fab performance is the glue that holds it together but if you went in expecting a psychological horror with good dose of thrills, then this indie is bound to leave behind a slightly underwhelming aftertaste. Still not for the squeamish.

This movie is a perfect example of choosing a secure comfortable life over dreadful, unloving parents and uncaring family. It has been portrayed in many scenes that she wanted to be genuinely loved.

She once asked her husband 'Do you love me unconditionally?'. Also, She loves the garden and he explains about morning glories when her husband ignores her.

There were a lot of cues representing her mental dilemma and trauma. Her mother-in-law asks her 'You fake it till you make it. Are you done faking it?' So clearly she knows that her daughter-in-law struggling but she chooses to ignore it.

Also when explaining to her therapist she says 'My mom doesn't resist me and step-dad is great and sisters love me'.. and then there will be tears. Which means everything is opposite.

Subtle cues made an unloving girl start eating things which she likes just to feel 'she is in control' and she eats things which are indigestible just to portray her own life ..... SHE CAN NOT DIGEST HER LIFE.