Filmology Rating: 3.6 out of 4

When Swiss Army Man was first announced I was immediately interested in the premise. A story of a man who finds a corpse with the bizarre utility of a Swiss Army knife has not been presented on the big screen in the history of cinema. I went in to the film expecting a quirky movie that would be bizarre and fun. I would have never expected a film that expertly balances juvenile sense of humor with a poignant philosophical examination of what it means to be alive. 

Swiss Army Man opens with a short montage of calls for help in the form of increasingly complex floating bottles. The concept of a message in a bottle is portrayed in a particularly comedic fashion. Shortly thereafter we are interested to Hank played by Paul Dano. Hank is stranded on an island and has reached the end of his rope. As he prepares to hang himself he notices a rotting corpse on the beach. This corpse is played by none other than the Harry Potter actor himself, Daniel Radcliffe. Although it is clear that this individual is deceased, what is unclear is why the corpse has a seemingly limitless quantity of methane that can propel it through the water. As Hank seeks salvation with the help of the corpse’s bizarre abilities, he soon finds that the corpse is not entirely deceased. What follows is an unlikely relationship between Hank and the magical corpse that comes to be called Manny. 

As a film, Swiss Army Man should not work. On paper the premise of the movie seems like a bet to make a film that cannot be made. How could a film contain farting as a major motif, as well as a heartfelt examination of what it means to be alive? The director Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) somehow manage to strike a skillful balance between juvenile humor and the examination of the pains and joys that come with being alive. As Manny attempts to discover what it means to be alive, Hank does his best to teach him from his own socially inept viewpoint. Hank is a lonely individual who longs for love and meaning in his life, but he doesn’t have to courage to obtain it. The story and directing alone is only strengthened by the unique and expertly executed. Andy Hull and Robert McDowell of the Manchester orchestra work with Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe to create a uniquely vocal centered soundtrack that further builds on the absurdity and beauty of Swiss Army Man. 

In my humble opinion Swiss Army Man is even greater than the sum of its unusual parts. At the end of the day, Swiss Army Man is not only the most interesting film to release this year, but also one of the best executed.

Rating: See It

-Tyler 

Stranded on a deserted island Hank (Paul Dano) is without hope. Just when Hank is going to end it all, until he spots harry potter (Daniel Radcliffe) washed up by the shore. Sadly, he is dead and really, really, really flatulent. He uses this gassy body to his advantage however and uses him help escape the deserted island. Hank miraculously makes it back to the mainland. However, now he is lost in the wilderness, and is dragging the now talking corpse named Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) along for the adventure.

Where to begin with this movie….. I honestly don’t know where to start so I will just start by saying that this was the greatest nonsensical movie that I have ever seen. It was so much fun! Believe me I was confused about what was going on and that really is the point. It really isn’t made to make complete sense and it is made to keep you in a state of wonder. This state of wonder was so much fun and you are just along for the ride and seeing where it will take you.

To start off, Swiss Army Man will have you laughing your ass off. I was only in a theater of maybe 8 people and we were all laughing hysterically! The dialogue was so well written and just the given situation of it all was hilarious. I mean Manny was supposed to be dead but somehow he isn’t anymore and he is also trying to remember where he is from and how to get home. The banter between these two was fantastic and also their acting was brilliant as well. We all know that Harry Potter is a good actor and can branch off from the wizard when he grew some Horns in a movie a few years back. Paul Dano is really an actor that flies under the radar but man he is a talent.

I think that the biggest appeal to Swiss Army Man is the emotion that it has. It asks some deeper issues and really makes you think. This is a movie about resilience, imagination, hope, love, friendship, and so much more. Swiss Army Man gave me such a hopeful feeling that is really unique for a film to give; that is something that doesn’t happen very often. I was rooting for these two to make it back home so that they can find love and happiness. The journey Hank and Manny take together to find this happiness was so much fun to watch. The soundtrack was fantastic as well. It added so much to the experience that I really did get shivers several times throughout the movie because the music amplified the emotion and the experience that much more.

Guys I really can’t say enough how great Swiss Army Man is. If I could see it again right now I would. One to try and get a better grasp on what I saw and two, because it was that much fun and I want to experience that again! I give so much props to writers and directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, both of whom this was their first time doing either of those for the big screen. I look forward to seeing what these men have to offer in the future! I understand why people wouldn’t like this film because of how strange it is but honestly, it is an experience that was so much fun to witness.

Rating: See It

-Nick