Swiss Army Man (Spoilers!)

 

Swiss Army Man was a film made in 2016 directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano. This very interesting film follows two young men, Hank and Manny, as they try to make their way back home. At the start of the film, we see Hank attempting to take his own life when he suddenly sees a body wash on shore. He goes over to see Manny, a man who seems to be dead and starts confiding in him about his life and how he ended up alone, stranded on an island. This is when weird things start to happen, Manny then farts, which Hank is shocked and repulsed by. Until he realizes Manny has special powers and can use his "farts" as a propellor and Hank rides Manny like a jet ski to a new place. Hank really starts to like Manny and talks to him as if he is alive as well as carrying him on his back at all times. This then leads to Manny talking, which again shocks Hank, and Hank then realizes Manny is alive and he is not alone. As time goes on, Hank and Manny discover more of Manny's powers which include, fresh water coming from his mouth, a karate chop that can break almost anything, putting popcorn kernels in his mouth that can shoot at things, and more. Hank starts to really care for Manny and it almost seems like the two fall for each other, or at least put their friendship before everything else. Manny also seems to have fallen in love with the girl on Hank's phone, which turns out to be just a girl that Hank was too afraid to talk to. After a long journey which includes falling off a bridge, and fighting a bear, they end up at Sarah's, the girl on Hank's phone, house. She proceeds to call for help and seconds later, Manny dies again. As the police zip up Manny's body, Hank steals it and runs off with the final scene being everyone gathered at the beach as Manny wakes up and fart propels off into the ocean. It is then revealed how close they were to society, practically being in someone's backyard. 

I didn't know how to take this film at first, I wanted to analyze it and try to figure out the actual meaning, but then decided it was better to take it at face value. To me, this film shows how Manny is Hank's other half. Doing the things that Hank was too afraid to do when he was living with society. These things, for example, would be the gross things that we humans keep to ourselves, saying offensive words that aren't allowed in many areas, and even expressing feelings and love to others. All things that Hank was too scared to do back home, especially the last one. I think this is why we see Hank and Manny almost kiss because when Hank would dress up as a girl for Manny, he saw himself in Manny and wanted to do the things that he couldn't all that time ago. I also think there were some feelings between the two which led to many awkward and slightly intimate moments. 

Overall, I though this was a different and unique movie. At first I did not like it and went as far to say that it was one of the worst films I have ever seen, but after watching the rest with an open mind, I started to like it and appreciate it more. It was definitely a weird and quirky movie that you just watch with an open mind and not get caught up in the question you might be asking yourself during the film. It was quite confusing, but once you give up on you thoughts, it is a rather interesting and almost heart-warming film. This is the type of movie I would love to watch with my family and friends just to see they reactions while watching as well as their after thoughts. It definitely is a movie you will need to discuss with others about after watching.