The Swearing Jar

Went in expecting a generic movie and came away being blown away. The acting and cinematography is above the majority of movies out there and the script makes it very believable.

I've never lived through a situation like the one that is portrayed in the movie, but if you have I can just imagine how hard hitting this film is.

It's not happy, sad or funny, it's just about life. I highly recommend it.

Went in expecting a generic movie and came away being blown away. The acting and cinematography is above the majority of movies out there and the script makes it very believable.

I've never lived through a situation like the one that is portrayed in the movie, but if you have I can just imagine how hard hitting this film is.

It's not happy, sad or funny, it's just about life. I highly recommend it.

The Swearing Jar is a new musical romantic drama directed by Lindsay MacKay. After Wet Bum, this is only the second film she has directed.

Carey (Adelaide Clemens) is a young musician and is in a relationship with Simon (Patrick J. Adams). Their relationship isn't perfect, because sometimes they love each other very much, other times they also hate each other incredibly. Yet they are expecting a child together.

When they can't see each other for a while, Carey bumps into another man with whom she also seems to have good chemistry. This leaves Carey with a difficult choice.

The story of this film was written by Kate Hewlett, who further based it on her own play. Together with the director, she ensures that the film remains faithful to this play. The story only remains on a predictable side and for a romantic drama the film offers little else.

What the film manages to carry is more the beautiful singing work of the cast members, who have a good chemistry with each other, but otherwise it remains a standard romantic drama. For example, after the singing and their good mutual chemistry, the cast members also seem a bit standard when the romance and songs retreat a bit.

This movie is like watching a play, and is full of true human nuance of emotions. Extremely relatable brilliant moments explored: humor, pain, awkwardness, and especially love: all delivered by extremely talented actors. The plot pulls at the heart strings, is intriguing, strange and fun. Enjoying, and sinking into a movie like this is what life is about. My boyfriend and I were glued to the string and really appreciated the authenticity in the performances. Kathleen Turner is an absolute channeler and sweeps you up into this world. Adelaide Clemens is mesmerizing, hilarious, and makes an absolutely flawed character, lovable, understandable, and so human.

I would concur with the other reviews here, this was an amazing gem of a movie, that beautifully written and filmed.

I came into the theatre expecting one specific journey and was presented with a different one that ultimately spoke to my heart. The actors charmed me throughout the entire story which proved to be funny, painful, soulful and entertaining. All the feels are happening here.

Also, a shout out for the casting of Kathleen Turner who we do not nearly get to see enough of these days.

I would definitely recommend a having a box of tissue handy for this one, as well as a glass of champagne.

This actually develops into a touching and complex story. But it takes a while to clarify the lines, so that if feels like nothing is quite happening for a little too long (despite some very original pieces right at the start). I'm not sure how much the unresolved confusion is meant to put the viewer off the track and how much is failure to think through the exposition, but I almost bowed out early a number of times. The story as it shapes up touches on some important themes of grief and recovery, but then it becomes a little predictable as well. It's also true that the moment Katherine Turner comes in she is so much stronger a presence than anyone else that it puts the otherwise engaging indie actors at a disadvantage. There is some good music, well-placed, but it only comes in and out. It never quite defines the tone.