Swan Song

Name: Swan Song
Genre: Drama
Released: August 6, 2021
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Annie Kitral, Dave Sorboro, Eric Eisenbrey, Ira Hawkins, Jennifer Coolidge

2021

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Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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Swan Song

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: August 6, 2021 | Not Rated

Starring: Annie Kitral, Dave Sorboro, Eric Eisenbrey, Ira Hawkins, Jennifer Coolidge, Linda Evans, Michael Urie, Roshon Thomas, Tom Bloom, Udo Kier

Movie Facts:

VOD release August 13, 2021.

Summary: Retired hairdresser and local bar performer icon Pat Pitsenbarger (Udo Kier) has given up on life from the confines of his small-town Sandusky, Ohio nursing home. But when Pat gets word that a former client's dying wish was for him to style her final hairdo, he sets out on an epic journey across Sandusky to confront the ghosts of his past -Retired hairdresser and local bar performer icon Pat Pitsenbarger (Udo Kier) has given up on life from the confines of his small-town Sandusky, Ohio nursing home. But when Pat gets word that a former client's dying wish was for him to style her final hairdo, he sets out on an epic journey across Sandusky to confront the ghosts of his past - and collect the beauty supplies necessary for the job. … Expand

Director: Todd Stephens

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

Brad Wheeler

Aug 12, 2021

It’s quite a film Stephens has made. Read full review

Rachel Reeves

Mar 19, 2021

Even when the narrative strays or lingers a few moments too long, it is Kier that reels it back in. Ultimately, Swan Song succeeds and proves that fabulousness has no expiration date. Read full review

Lorry Kikta

Aug 6, 2021

Stephens knows how to get outstanding performances from all the actors. He creates a whimsical atmosphere in a scenario that could be unbearable heavy. This is probably one of the most fun movies I’ve seen that hangs its hat in a land of death. Yet, it celebrates life, which we all need a little bit more of, don’t you think? Read full review

Tim Grierson

Mar 19, 2021

Writer-director Todd Stephens can allow quirkiness to overwhelm the thin narrative, but the story’s emotional underpinnings guide the film past its occasional rough spots. Read full review

Kimber Myers

Aug 6, 2021

A little too broad at times, Swan Song smartly balances its excesses with small, sweet moments that leave an impression on the audience just as significant as Pat’s imprint on Sandusky. Read full review

The Playlist Jason Bailey

Mar 19, 2021

The pacing is wobbly – it runs a too-flabby 105 minutes – and some of the filmmaking is pretty rickety . . . . But Swan Song is about its performers, and they shine. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Aug 2, 2021

The film is kindly and well-intended, but it’s also sentimental and lifeless. Swan Song is a rare movie without a single good scene. Read full review

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User Reviews

Brent_Marchant

Feb 25, 2022

Doing justice cinematically to a real-life icon can be a tricky proposition; sometimes it turns out right, and sometimes it doesn't. But the thorniest cases seem to be those that are caught somewhere in between, as is apparent in this fact-based memoir about a flamboyant gay Sandusky, OH,Doing justice cinematically to a real-life icon can be a tricky proposition; sometimes it turns out right, and sometimes it doesn't. But the thorniest cases seem to be those that are caught somewhere in between, as is apparent in this fact-based memoir about a flamboyant gay Sandusky, OH, hairdresser and make-up artist. When stylist Pat Pitsenbarger is called out of retirement to handle the cosmetology duties for one of his former clients who has recently passed away, he escapes the nursing home where he's been recovering from a stroke -- and not having much of a life. His rascally adventure in the outside world takes him back to the haunts of his old life, where he confronts a number of ghosts from his past and gets a chance to see how much the LGBTQ community has changed since his heydays of running the streets. It's an experience that's both fun and melancholic for him, especially given his awareness of the fact that, like his departed patron, his days may be dwindling, too. The execution of his odyssey, however, is somewhat uneven, characterized by a number of superbly handled touching moments and others that feel clumsy and somewhat cryptic. This could be attributable to the filmmaker being too close to the material, or it might be a case of trying to pay proper reverence to a beloved individual but not quite always knowing exactly how. Much of it works, thankfully, due in large part to the excellent lead performance of Independent Spirit Award nominee Udo Kier, but even that fine portrayal isn't always enough to smooth out the rough patches that unavoidably intrude on the flow of the narrative. Writer-director Todd Stephens serves up a generally sold work here, though some deliberate, nuanced tweaking in spots likely would have taken good material and made it better. Viewers should note that this film is not to be confused with another 2021 release of the same name featuring Mahershala Ali in the lead role (though, intriguingly, both pictures deal with issues of mortality in distinctive and inventive ways). Mr. Pat certainly was a colorful character, but it's somewhat unfortunate that this offering doesn't show off all of his hues as it might have.… Expand

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TVJerry

Aug 23, 2021

Udo Kier has had a long and interesting career and this is yet another unique role. He plays a retired hairdresser who has settled into the relative obscurity and loneliness of a nursing home. After the death of a local society woman (Linda Evans), he’s hired to do her hair, which involvesUdo Kier has had a long and interesting career and this is yet another unique role. He plays a retired hairdresser who has settled into the relative obscurity and loneliness of a nursing home. After the death of a local society woman (Linda Evans), he’s hired to do her hair, which involves him returning to scrutinize what’s left of his former glory. Of course, the character is flamboyant, but with Kier, he’s a more subdued flamer. There are moments of introspection and bits of lost relationships, but none is especially touching. As a result, there are too many moments of sad staring that drag down the pace. Even Jennifer Coolidge lacks much punch in her supporting role. While there was potential for this to be a wildly fun look at a colorful character, writer/director Todd Stephens hasn’t elevated this project with his rather Earth-bound approach.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Aug 25, 2021

Udo Kier's work is a complete and enough attribute for you to be interested in seeing this movie, yet I must warn you that Swan Song demands patience.

It's not a movie that has a good rhythm, and gets really boring at times. It's Kier who keeps it centered, it's just a shame that the scriptUdo Kier's work is a complete and enough attribute for you to be interested in seeing this movie, yet I must warn you that Swan Song demands patience.

It's not a movie that has a good rhythm, and gets really boring at times. It's Kier who keeps it centered, it's just a shame that the script and direction weren't up to his work.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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