The Song of Sway Lake

The Orchard | Release Date: September 21, 2018

tbd	USER SCORE No score yet

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

SaraClementsOct 15, 2018

The Song of Sway Lake is a nostalgic trip back to your grandparents’ house during the summer—when the sun was hot, the breeze was cool, and the subtle crackle of their records didn’t stop you from dancing. Sway Lake is introduced to us inThe Song of Sway Lake is a nostalgic trip back to your grandparents’ house during the summer—when the sun was hot, the breeze was cool, and the subtle crackle of their records didn’t stop you from dancing. Sway Lake is introduced to us in narrated love letters between Hal (Brian Dennehy) and Charlie (Mary Beth Peil) Sway—theirs is a love story forever embedded in its waters. The song “Sway Lake” by the Eden Sisters begins to play as the lake’s rich history is introduced through vintage-style newsreels, depicting its past as a popular retreat for New York’s elite. But the sisters, the lake, and its history are all an impeccably crafted creation from the mind of writer-director Ari Gold.

The film includes an incredible array of young and veteran talents, who shine from beginning to end as the story follows young music collector Ollie Sway (Rory Culkin) on his journey to find a rare recording of “Sway Lake” that belonged to his father. With his only friend Nikolai (Robert Sheehan) in tow, they head to Sway Lake—the place of Ollie’s youth, and the place where his father committed suicide. For Ollie, the record could be the key to unlocking the many secrets that the lake holds. But while Ollie knows the record’s value surpasses currency, his grandmother, Charlie Sway, intends to sell it.

In the middle of all the film’s emotional conflict is romance—romances of the past and present, all intertwined in the melodies of lost time. All of this is displayed in many idiosyncratic ways. Eric Lin’s stunning cinematography of the lake’s scenic views—from its still blue waters to brightly coloured forests—is some of the best work of the year. All of it perfectly wrapped in a soundtrack of classic hits and jazzy score. What adds most to the film’s authenticity is the physicality of its use of memory. When characters reflect on their past, it is more often than not depicted in flashbacks. However, in this case, memory is treated as though it’s a character in and of itself. When Charlie reflects on the swims she used to take with her husband, water appears in her hands. When Ollie thinks of his father, he appears behind him. Everyone interacting and confronting their memories as though they were real. And nothing awakens memory quite like song.

The film sways along its narrative exquisitely in this tale of love, youth, and death. The film’s ode to song is obvious, as Gold continually displays its power to return memories once lived. And as the end credits show: Memories will never fade if the record keeps on spinning.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

linafaustinazeMar 18, 2020

I thorougly enjoyed the movie from the very beginning. First of all, the atmosphere of is very nice and pleasant. The movie portrays Sway lake as a very unique place, that makes you want to visit it, put your body in its clear waters. TheI thorougly enjoyed the movie from the very beginning. First of all, the atmosphere of is very nice and pleasant. The movie portrays Sway lake as a very unique place, that makes you want to visit it, put your body in its clear waters. The landscapes are magnifying itself and the scenes are filmmed flawlessly. Not to mention the soundrack, the old records and Ethan Gold music, which fits perfectly in the ambience. The main story in it is deep and involving, with well developed, specific characters. It is modest, warm, intelligent and subtly humorous. In my opinion, the movie is essentially about the friendship that develops between the main characters. It feels authentic and sincere. Whether we wish to acknowledge it or not, greed, prejudice, ignorance, weakness exist within all of us, and it seems to have existed in the real life of men who were Nicolai and Olivier. Only by having significant experience together, they had discussions which led to a strong, enduring friendship. It made me believe in it and I couldn't avoid some tears in the end. Totaly a masterpiece.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews