Paula Santiago
SWALLOW, A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR CRITICS AND A
MISUNDERSTOOD GEM FOR CINEPHILES
Director Carlo Mirabella-Davis' first full-length film, "Swallow" (2019), written and
produced by himself, is an 18+ rated American-French thriller drama. The cast is formed
by big names in the industry like female lead Haley Bennett as Hunter, Austin Stowell,
Elizabeth Marvel and Denis O'Hare.
The film follows the story of Hunter, a young woman recently married to Richie Conrad,
the son of a wealthy family. As soon as Hunter finds out that she is pregnant, she
becomes obsessed with trying new things encouraged by a book that her mother-in-law
Katherine gave her. In the solitude of their home and her inflexible life, Hunter begins to
develop a mania for ingesting inedible objects, known as ‘Pica’.
In a way, it's an adaptation of a modern terror with an original plot. Although the eating
disorder that makes up the plot of the film is not shown from the fear, very graphic
images are shown that make the viewer empathize with the anguish of the character. It
is explained from a perspective close to Hunter's, but without revealing what she is
feeling, not even in the most personal moments with the psychologist is there a hint of
any emotion in the protagonist.
The acting is a remarkable element of the film. With the renowned actors included in the
film, it is to be expected to give a brilliant performance. The construction of the
characters is not distinguished for its depth, since little of their personalities is shown.
But even without knowing enough of the characters to empathize with them, the actors
know how to embody very well the objectivity with which the film seems to be treated,
giving an external point of view to the viewer.
The direction of photography is truly amazing. It's probably the highlight of the movie.
The chosen shots, the lighting and the color treatment come together to an attractive set
that is undoubtedly the best of the film. Indeed, the feeling of agony is perfectly
expressed through long shots and close-ups. The editing helps the photography direction
in those less worked aspects and adds beauty to the film.
In addition, the locations, despite being mostly in the house where most of the film takes
place, provide a narrative space through which the camera has a lot of freedom to show
what happens. The spaces outside the house, such as the psychologist's study or the
motel room, appear to be decorated in detail. In general, the locations chosen to shoot
are shown off with beautiful landscapes and a calm atmosphere.
However, it is the plot that gives the film the negative points that make it doubtful if it is
worth watching. Many other films that start from original ideas have failed in the same
way, many of them ending with disastrous ratings. Swallow seems to have everything it
takes to be a very good movie, but the way the plot is carried becomes an obstacle. Far
from being a script problem, which even though it is not extremely good, it is not a
disaster either, the film becomes long and boring, everything and being short. Swallow
seems to have what it takes to be a very good movie, but the way of carrying the plot
