A formerly flamboyant hairdresser takes a long walk across a small town to style a dead woman's hair.A formerly flamboyant hairdresser takes a long walk across a small town to style a dead woman's hair.A formerly flamboyant hairdresser takes a long walk across a small town to style a dead woman's hair.
- Awards
- 6 wins & 16 nominations total
Catherine L. Albers
- Janie
- (as Catherine Albers)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Other reviews say it better but I'll say it with less words. Watch this and enjoy! It's a great film with a beautiful story.
I really loved this movie. I rarely watch any GL movie, but today i just happened to click on this movie and i shed tears at the end. Thank Mr Stephens. The movie has brought me back to many many many memories. I have gone through the AIDS crisis where many of my friends had died. We are the survivor and in death or near death we start forgiving. Udo Kier.is really really a good actor. I love Jennifer Coolidge. And Linda Evans all portrayed how old age is like and i am getting to be in the twilight of my age and i feel for all of them walking on the same steps. Again, my life started have its meaning after watching this movie. And I need to thank all of the people who made this movie possible. Thanks!
Just saw Swan Song, and I was totally taken with Udo Kier's performance as Pat. He is a retired hairdresser and gay cabaret performer who lives in a nursing home. When he is offered 25K to do the hair & makeup on a deceased friend ( Linda Evans); he initially refuses . But he then leaves the home to do the job. We find out why he at first refused to help, and his story unfolds as he walks through the streets of Sandusky, Ohio. He meets old and new friends and each plays a part in telling his story.
Great supporting cast with Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Urie and even Linda Evans in a brief appearance.
A lovely movie about growing old as a gay man, and the lives that were lived back in the days of bars and drag shows, and how gay life has evolved and changed. And how one man , dubbed the Liberace of Sandusky found out how many lives he actually touched.
Great supporting cast with Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Urie and even Linda Evans in a brief appearance.
A lovely movie about growing old as a gay man, and the lives that were lived back in the days of bars and drag shows, and how gay life has evolved and changed. And how one man , dubbed the Liberace of Sandusky found out how many lives he actually touched.
Former small town hairstylist, Pat (Kier), has been spending his days in a retirement home recovering from a stroke. When he receives news that his friend and client, Rita (Evans), has passed away and wanted him to do her hair for her funeral, he gathers up enough strength for one last hurrah, meeting all sorts of interesting characters and resolving past drama on the way.
Swan Song is one of the few films to feature a lead performance by veteran character actor, Udo Kier, and he proves himself to be more than up for the challenge. His character of Pat is will probably be reminiscent of many small town hairdressers who were, unfortunately, born at the wrong time and had to deal with so much more oppression than many of the LGBT people of today.
Jennifer Coolidge turns in an equally great performance as Kier's former student/rival and she's not borrowing from her usual bag of comedy tricks. She creates a fully lifelike and moving character for the few minutes that she's on screen.
Swan Song might be a little too episodic at times, but it all wraps up in a moving and heartfelt way and it's one that's worthy of being seen by wider audience.
Swan Song is one of the few films to feature a lead performance by veteran character actor, Udo Kier, and he proves himself to be more than up for the challenge. His character of Pat is will probably be reminiscent of many small town hairdressers who were, unfortunately, born at the wrong time and had to deal with so much more oppression than many of the LGBT people of today.
Jennifer Coolidge turns in an equally great performance as Kier's former student/rival and she's not borrowing from her usual bag of comedy tricks. She creates a fully lifelike and moving character for the few minutes that she's on screen.
Swan Song might be a little too episodic at times, but it all wraps up in a moving and heartfelt way and it's one that's worthy of being seen by wider audience.
It took 13 years but Todd Stephens finally return as a director with Swan Song. And personally, I think this is his best so far. Mainly because of the always charismatic Udo Kier who was able to defy the sometimes campy yet melancholic Stephens' narrative. While the film is sorely too subdued or moody for its own good, but at least it still has room for some moving and emotional moments.
Did you know
- TriviaThe town in the film, Sandusky, Ohio, is the real life home-town of writer and director Todd Stephens.
- GoofsWhen Patrick visits the site of his old home, his hat disappears and then appears again when he leaves.
- Quotes
Pat Pitsenbarger: Bury her with bad hair.
- SoundtracksSupersonic Love
Written by Eddie Warner
Courtesy of FirstCom Music
Performed by L'ILLUSTRATION MUSICALE
- How long is Swan Song?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $126,110
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $26,855
- Aug 8, 2021
- Gross worldwide
- $177,206
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