freakboy on film: SWALLOW (2019)

 (written & directed by Carlo Mirabella-Davis) 

With my Mad Scientist Glasses on, I was browsing the library's DVD collection when one caught my half-blind eyes.  The cover looked like a horror film and when I deciphered the title, well...my mind went to unspeakable places.  All I knew for certain was I would be borrowing this DVD.  

After arriving home and popping in the disc, I was relieved to find SWALLOW was in English and had a Descriptive Audio track. (click SUBTITLES). Then the film began and it wasn't really clicking with me.  I didn't really care about privileged newlyweds living in a privileged home and expecting a privileged baby.  I was about to shut off the DVD when the wife did something odd and SWALLOW suddenly had my undivided attention. 

Richie and Hunter Conrad have a golden life.  The newlyweds have youth, love, security and a baby on the way.  They want for nothing.  Yet, if this is true, why does Hunter swallow a marble, then fish it from the toilet and keep it as an indigestible memento?  

Is Hunter bored with the endless days of being a housewife?  Is she worried about her pregnancy?  Is she feeling disconnected from her husband's wealthy upbringing?  Is there something deeper going on in Hunter's mind?  

Haley Bennett, as Hunter, is mesmerizing.  She exudes a vulnerable strength as her swallowing of small objects spirals out of control.  Austin Stowell, as Richie, slowly manifests the husband's real self as he "deals" with his wife's compulsion.  Denis O'Hare plays a pivotal role late in the film and fans of the 1980's series SLEDGEHAMMER will be surprised to see David Rasche as Richie's wealthy father.   

I think SWALLOW is a psychological suspense thriller.  We watch on the edge of our seats as Hunter's life begins to unravel.  We watch in horror at the reactions of others to Hunter's inability to stop herself from swallowing dangerous objects.  We watch with bated breath as the reasons behind her compulsion begin to surface.  It's a strange, shocking journey to take, but I think it's worth it.  

In conclusion, SWALLOW ended up being a hidden gem on the library shelf, so I'm glad I didn't shut it off.  Plus, there was occasionally a  ROSEMARY'S BABY vibe, sans Satan & witches.  Readers of this blog understand how this would  enhance my viewing experience.

Thank you for reading or listening to my half-blind words.

Freak Out, 

JLH 

P.S. A different post about a different library gem...

http://freakboyzone.blogspot.com/2020/01/freakboy-on-film-chained-for-life.html 

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The Collective Eye is looking a bit different this month, but at least it's open...

...on #blogs & #music  ! 

https://thejlhcollective.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-collective-eye-october-2020.html