Swiss Army Man
Written and Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Schenert
Starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe
Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe play two young men who turn up on a desert island although Radcliffe’s no more than a flatulent corpse when the film begins. Hank (Dano) is about to hang himself when he spots Manny (Radcliffe) washed ashore by the tide. Their friendship, and you will have to decide how that actually works out, is based on loneliness, insecurity, and a gentle humor. You have to give up any trace of cynicism to really get onboard (along with Hank) if you want to enjoy this. But its originality, its sweetness, its beauty, and two great acting jobs make that easier than you might think. I expected to be alone in the theater but surprisingly about two dozen people were there. All of them stayed and all of them seemed happy on the way out. A film like this sometimes finds its audience.
Patti Abbott
