Sword of Trust

Firstly this film is awful, about as funny as a root canal, and more tedious. I am certain that the only people giving it a passing grade of over three stars must be the poor put upon family members of the film's makers. Faux "authenticity" by having no script and non-actors (or lousy actors) serves whose interests? The audiences? Certainly not.

I have a lot of tolerance for low budget production, but not when there is no redeeming positive factor. GCI is expensive, but interesting storyline, characters or dialogue are not expensive. This clunker has none.

The "alternative reality" is present alright: someone with no talent went to film school and thinks that alone will suffice. It doesn't.

A lovely small scale film with a satisfying payoff. Exactly the sort of film she excelled at. And dammit I still can't believe she's gone. She'll never make all the wonderful films she could have made over the next forty years, and I feel that loss terribly.

A very quirky film that takes place in today's American Deep South. So naturally, it's about the American Civil War (The War of the Northern Aggression). There's an old, inherited Union (The Army of the Northern Aggression) sword that supposedly proves that the south won the war. The sword now belongs to a lesbian couple who team up with a Birmingham pawnbroker and his dim sidekick to sell the sword to a collector for big bucks. That's when the characters plucked from Deliverance start to appear. This movie is never predictable. At least it has that going for it.

Greetings again from the darkness. Lynn Shelton has put together a very successful career that began with her contributions to the early days of mumblecore (Andrew Bujalski, the Duplass brothers, et al). Along with her filmmaking, she has mixed in some fine TV work, including multiple episodes of "GLOW", "Fresh Off the Boat", and "New Girl". This time out, with a script she co-wrote with Mike O'Brien, she stays true to her offbeat roots and love of characters with character.

There is a story here, and in fact, it was the synopsis that contributed to me agreeing to review this one ... well that, and the previous work of Ms. Shelton. Cynthia (Jillian Bell) and her partner Mary (Michaela Watkins) have returned to Alabama with the expectation of inheriting Cynthia's grandfather's house. Instead of the house, Cynthia instead walks away with an antique sword, whose accompanying drawing and handwritten letter supposedly prove that the South won the Civil War.

A visit to Mel's Pawn Shop begins the process of finding a buyer for the sword. Cranky Mel is played by Marc Maron, best known for his stand-up comedy. As a shop owner, he seems constantly annoyed by his dim bulb employee Nathaniel (Jon Bass). The two couldn't be more different, as Nathaniel spends his work days plugged into conspiracy podcasts (including one run by the film's co-writer Mike O'Brien in a quick cameo). However, it's Nathaniel that discovers the "truthers" who believe the 'South won the war', and are the best possible fit as buyers for Cynthia's sword.

Director Shelton makes an appearance as Deirdre, Mel's former lover. As a couple, their rocky history includes significant drug use and little contribution to society. Also appearing is Toby Huss as Hog Jaws, the oddball middleman involved with the sword transaction. "Seinfeld" fans will recall Mr. Huss as "The Wiz" from that popular show.

This is a deep cut indie, and the humor will either appeal to you or you'll find it absolutely absurd (or maybe both). The entertainment is derived from the 'little' moments and the manner in which the characters interact. It appears many scenes were improvised, a trait of early Shelton projects, and with such talented comedy actors, it's no wonder. The offbeat story simply exists to give these actors a reason to be funny ... something they do quite well.

A small town Alabama pawn shop dealer (Maron) is presented with an intriguing item one day by an incredulous couple (Bell and Watkins) - an antique sword with paperwork attesting to the "fact" that the South won the Civil War.

A strange and entertaining adventure ensues as the 3 join forces with a kid who works at the pawn shop (Bass) to try and find a high-end buyer for the unique relic from a time that didn't really even exist.

Quirky without being contrived, funny and tight (88 minutes - I saw it with a post-film Q&A where director Shelton said "a comedy should be 90 minutes"), the film serves as a tailor-made vehicle for the strengths of its main protagonist (Maron) and a small, solid supporting cast. Much of the dialogue was improvised, yet none of it feels forced, and it also manages to poke fun at the culture of "alternative facts" which is slowly seeping into all corners of society without being malicious (making one of the GOOD guys an unapologetic flat-earther helps to spread the sympathy/blame around).

Worth a watch on screens big or small. Watkins and Bell have a nice chemistry, Bass plays a simpleton a bit TOO convincingly, and, despite the fact that he regularly self-deprecates to the contrary on his podcast, Maron is really coming into his own as an actor.