Swan Song (II) (2021) User Reviews

one last go

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 19 March 2021]

SXSW 2021 Greetings again from the darkness. It's never too late. We've all heard the phrase, but is it accurate ... at least mostly? Writer-director Todd Stephens met the real life Pat Pitsenbarger in a small town gay bar, and he turned that person into this engaging story by casting the great Udo Kier in the lead. When we first meet Pat, he's living a life of daily drudgery in a nursing home. He's a curmudgeon whose hobbies are folding (perfectly) the paper napkins he takes from the cafeteria, and sneaking a smoke when no one is looking. We also see how tenderly he treats an incapacitated neighbor. It's not the last time we see his two sides.

Pat was once a renowned hairdresser in Sandusky, Ohio. When he is informed that a long-time former (wealthy) client has passed away, and her dying wish was for Pat to do her hair for the funeral, he sneaks out of the home and begins a road trip down memory lane. Despite Pat spending the time on foot, the film has the feel of a true road trip movie as he crosses paths with many folks - some new and some with ties to his previous life. One of his first stops is the graveyard to visit his life partner who died of AIDS. We realize Pat still grieves.

There is a hilarious stop at a convenience store as he tries to knock off the items on his shopping list for the project. Since he has no money, Pat depends on the kindness of others ... and his own sticky fingers. As he makes his way through town, some folks remember him, while others remind him of how long he's been gone and how much has changed. His house and business may be gone, but his memories remain.

Two folks from his past generate tremendous scenes. Pat confronts Dee Dee Dale (a reserved Jennifer Coolidge) who gets to tell her side of the story of their unpleasant business split so many years ago. Even better is a "conversation" in the park with his old friend Eunice (a superb Ira Hawkins). The two old friends toast the bygone days of their gay club, while also acknowledging the new world of the gay community. It's a touching sequence.

But the most surprising portion of the film occurs at the funeral home, where Pat imagines a final chat with that recently deceased client, Rita Parker-Sloan. What a pleasant surprise (actually shock!) to see Linda Evans back on screen. She is terrific in her brief appearance and we've really missed her over the last 23 years. But this film belongs to Udo Kier, and he kills. Pat is known as "The Liberace of Sandusky" and Kier embraces all that entails. This is a sentimental story punctuated by a spirited performance - and a Shirley Bassey song!

Very poignant and important film...

[talllguysf · 8/10 · 18 August 2021]

A very touching film regardless of it's gay theme. That said, it's the gay theme that makes this film truly special.

This lovely slice of love film documents the life of a member of "the lost generation" of gay men, most of whom died during the AIDS crisis. Very few are left. And very few have had their lives dramatized in such a touching way.

This film also tells a fascinating story, in a very authentic way, of how a "flamboyant" gay man lived-or moreover "survived"- in a small American southern town during a time a few decades ago now when it was NOT okay at all to be gay, especially if your personality just so big than you could not hide your fabulous gayness no matter how much you tried.

Such men often had no choice other than to pursue one of a few select careers (florist, hairdresser, waiter, mortician, etc.) that society deemed "acceptable" for gay men, assuming you didn't announce your gayness to most people These jobs were often the ONLY choice for such gay men.

That said, if you could actually hide your homosexuality enough in a convincing way, you could pursue a other more mainstream career, but if you did, such careers were often cut short if you were discovered or "outed." And to add insult to injury, these outed men would not only lose their jobs, but they would often.face criminal charges, go to prison, and be shunned, their lives now ruined.

Most of these brave men (both in or out of the closet during these times) are now part of history, many tragically eventually dying in the 80s and early 90s from HIV-related illnesses.

Very few of this "lost generation" of gay men survive, and those that do probably still think no one would be interested in their story. How wrong they are. This movie proves that point.

Gratefully, we have arrived at a time that the public, and especially younger gay men, now actually want...and need...to hear these stories.

This film competently portrays one such story-a story of fabulousness but also of love and loss and the realities of living in those homophobic times, especially when AIDS created even more fear and distain for the gay community, especially in small town America.

This story is an important one, and an enjoyable and meaningful film to watch too. It has its sad moments, but also is an uplifting and inspiring story, a journey of this one amazing unapologetic gay citizen of a small town from a few decades "back in the day.".

I give it a bug 2 thumbs up. 👍🏼 👍🏼!

Forgive each other.

[aarpcats · 8/10 · 19 December 2021]

An eldergay has fallen on hard times in Sandusky, Ohio. His partner died of AIDS before SSM, and he had no legal rights to the home he had built with him. His partner's death caused him to lose the toney customers at his hair salon. And, as one of the few survivors of the AIDS pandemic, he is alone and lonely in a nursing home. He waits for death with the other elderly outcasts in his town.

A kind and compassionate Todd Stephens listened to one man's sad story and gave Udo Kier the role of a lifetime. It would have been easy to play this movie as broad comedy, making all the characters black and white. But the movie isn't drawn in broad strokes. Every detail, down to the Vivante shampoo and migrating hat flowers, is perfectly considered.

Watch it with your favorite frenemy,

Hopefully isn't Udo Kier's swan song

[pasaribuharisfadli · 7/10 · 10 January 2022]

It took 13 years but Todd Stephens finally return as a director with Swan Song. And personally, I think this is his best so far. Mainly because of the always charismatic Udo Kier who was able to defy the sometimes campy yet melancholic Stephens' narrative. While the film is sorely too subdued or moody for its own good, but at least it still has room for some moving and emotional moments.

Udo Kier shines

[ronterry55 · 9/10 · 5 September 2021]

Just saw Swan Song, and I was totally taken with Udo Kier's performance as Pat. He is a retired hairdresser and gay cabaret performer who lives in a nursing home. When he is offered 25K to do the hair & makeup on a deceased friend ( Linda Evans); he initially refuses . But he then leaves the home to do the job. We find out why he at first refused to help, and his story unfolds as he walks through the streets of Sandusky, Ohio. He meets old and new friends and each plays a part in telling his story.

Great supporting cast with Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Urie and even Linda Evans in a brief appearance.

A lovely movie about growing old as a gay man, and the lives that were lived back in the days of bars and drag shows, and how gay life has evolved and changed. And how one man , dubbed the Liberace of Sandusky found out how many lives he actually touched.

Dark, heartbreaking, infuriating

[NoBBQforyou · 7/10 · 14 August 2021]

There is much to recommend this movie: moments of absurd, tender, unexpected humor, the brilliance of Udo Kier, and the concept itself. Otoh, I found myself at times thinking that the director was culturally appropriating the very culture he is a part of. Some tiresome, cringe inducing bits about drag queens and a talk with an old friend on a bench that try way too hard. But those are really minor quibbles. This is a brilliant piece of work.

The most endearing film of 2021! Hilarious!

[Stay_away_from_the_Metropol · 9/10 · 26 October 2021]

Simply put, Swan Song is the most heartwarming film I have seen come out this year, and the greatest Udo Kier role/performance I've ever seen by a long shot. Though all film fans should know Udo Kier, since he's been appearing in things nonstop since the 60's, this is the perfect time to get to know him if you don't already. I came across this one on streaming (Hulu) with a friend and we are both so immensely glad we noticed it and decided to give it a chance. It's one of the my favorite movies of 2021.

The plot is a bit like The Peanut Butter Falcon, another fantastic heartwarming movie from a couple years back. Udo plays a regionally infamous stylist who's been rotting away in an old folks home, but upon a request to style an old client for her funeral, he decides to ditch the retirement community and go on a mission to acquire his old favorite products, in order to do the best possible job he can with his old friend's corpse!

Precious dark comedy, through and through. Never a dull moment. There are a few cast members and conversations that are a bit off-putting and pull you out of the movie a bit with their amateurish presence, but that aside this is a near-masterpiece for anyone can appreciate the sub-genre. It's really just entirely hilarious and endearing! Perhaps we need more movies about old people...and maybe more specifically, old gay men! So refreshing and fantastic.

All Hail Udo!

[lornastone · 7/10 · 2 March 2022]

Udo Kier gives one of his best performances as a retired hairstylist who escapes from his retirement home to create one final masterpiece and come to terms with his past before it's too late.

It's a small scale, quiet indie film with a lot of heart and some great laughs and performances. It's nice to see Kier be given just a substantial role at this point in his career.

A road movie within Sandusky, Ohio

[Red-125 · 9/10 · 31 May 2021]

Swan Song (II) (2021) was written and directed by Todd Stephens. It's a narrative film, but the protagonist, Pat Pitsenbarger was a well-known flamboyant gay hairdresser in Sandusky. When director Stephens was young, he knew Pitsenbarger. Also, Stephens gathered anecdotes about Pitsenbarger from other people who had known him.

Pitsenbarger is portrayed by Udo Kier, who is a brilliant actor. The movie rises or falls on the talent of the protagonist, and in this case it rises.

Pitsenbarger has retired from hairdressing, but he has been called from retirement to dress the hair of a wealthy woman who has died.

This is, indeed, a road movie, but the road leads from Pitsenbarger's nursing home to the funeral home, both of which are in Sandusky. The plot consists of his encounters as he walks out of the facility and heads towards the funeral home.

This may sound like a pretty feeble premise, but it's just the opposite. The movie was overlooked when it was released. In fact, I'm just the second person to review it. That's too bad, because it's really good film. The movie has an excellent IMDb rating of 7.6. However, that's based on the ratings of just 44 IMDb members. I though it was much better than that, and rated it 9.

P. S. See if you can recognize the dead woman, named Rita Parker Sloan. (She appears in flashbacks and in Pitsenbarger's memories.) She's almost 80 years old, and she still looks great.

Cut for it - is this the end?

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 14 August 2023]

No pun intended - I can also not imagine this being better than the other Swan Song (same production year I think). I am really looking forward to watching that one. Having said that, if you are a fan of Udo Kier .. well it seems like this was tailor made for him - no pun intended. Actually since he cuts hair I reckon there is no real pun (his character that is).

Like him or not, like the movie or rather the theme or not ... it is quite an intriguing one. It doesn't seem like a stretch - Kier kind of playing himself (something he probably likes to do .. a lot - but that is a different story) ... so suspend your disbelief if possible and just go with it .... all the flaws it has - roll with them, like a hair ... thingy that rolls ... well you get what I mean! Some of the acting is almost as smooth as the joke I just made (that was not subtle now was it? Movie isn't either)

great indie

[MrDeWinter · 10/10 · 24 August 2021]

Very poetic, colourful, sad and uplifting at the same time. Not without shortcomings, too slow at times, but real and heart breaking. Great to see Jennifer Coolidge in a more down to earth part, without that silly voice of hers. 10 for story and effort.

Enjoyable, but not a GREAT film.

[Zoeymdavies · 6/10 · 12 December 2021]

Great story of a man who was big-city fabulous in a drab small town. Definitely one to watch with the fam! But I couldn't help but take mental notes of filmmaking blunders while watching. For example, not shooting certain scenes in 60fps, and turned very choppy as we saw them in slow-mo...I'm sure the editors did their best to make the scene work & strike the right emotional cord and sacrificed technical correctness for the needed emotional pull...which I understand and value..you gotta do what you gotta do with what you have at the time!

But I found the portrayal of Pat's illness and the choppy memories and/or hallucinations to be very confusing but not in a good 'Shutter Island' way.

Credit to the filmmakers because this was no doubt a low budget production...I just think certain decisions held this film back. Specifically, better music would have gone a long way! And the scene where Pat was seeing the man gardening, and then later joining in, was just weird AFFF to me..it was first shown almost like it was a flashback..but then we see that it's during his sweatsuit journey..but yet he somehow has all his rings on (even though he didn't put all his rings on until later 🤔). Anyways...it felt not very well thought out.

But still for his pantsuit alone and the joy seeing an old queen find his light again is worth the watch even though it's not iconic..still enjoyable!

Not what I expected, but Udo Kier is fantastic!

[paulclaassen · 5/10 · 3 November 2021]

My mind unfairly convinced me the film was to be in the vein of 'To Wong Foo' and 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert'. As a result, I was a bit disappointed.

Udo Kier is wonderfully cast as Pat Pitsenbarger - I mean, this is Udo Kier like you've never seen him before! Pat was once a successful hairdresser, and performer. Although the film shows us glimpses of his past, I wanted to see and know more about the former Pat. I somehow feel the film would have been more interesting had they chronicled his life, instead of mere back flashes.

The premise is a bit strange. One of Pat's once regular clients is deceased, and her will stipulated him to do her hair for the funeral, and will be richly rewarded. Due to a feud between them years ago, Pat is initially reluctant, but decides to do it anyway. He then travels mainly on foot to a town called Sandusky. Despite some funny moments here and there, I found the film a bit dreary at times. It was also much more dramatic than I had anticipated. Then again, as mentioned, I had a pre-conceived idea what the film was going to be about, and that was a bit unfair towards 'Swan Song'.

Nevertheless, 'Swan Song' was still entertaining. It also offers a nostalgic look at how quickly time passes us by. We should indeed live every day like there's no tomorrow, and not take everything for granted. We so egotistically believe in a tomorrow...

Udo Kier's great performance makes the movie well worth it. It was also good seeing Linda Evans back in front of the camera again after a long absence - and she's looking incredible still! 'Swan Song' deserves at least one viewing.

Returning home

[decard · 7/10 · 20 August 2021]

For me this movie is about a community of beautiful and unique people. Their hopes, dreams and most of all failures. It's about letting go..

Amazing performance by Udo Kier. Unfortunately few others were lacking but overall it made me feel what the authors intended, and I'm very grateful for this experience.

Shame this has low exposure because it's fabulous

[matlock-74399 · 9/10 · 13 August 2021]

Other reviews say it better but I'll say it with less words. Watch this and enjoy! It's a great film with a beautiful story.

a little anecdote...

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 17 August 2021]

In local american history, of the city of sandusky ohio. Its a pretty dementia driven lgbtq+ flavoured story that wont suit the vast audiences, but still a knockout match due to meticoulus and well devoted acting, and pretty loose leach to improvise given from the director. So if you love udo kiers blue eyes, or love the milfy mistress of ''american pie 1's'' Finch , then be my guest. A little long playtime may become saggy for the most senior(and demented) part of the audience, but i may guarantee that your musculus laughtorious will get its yearly exercise if watching. The only thing the grumpy old man cant explain is the title...

Oscar worthy!

[akira-hideyo · 10/10 · 31 August 2021]

It has class, soul, empathy, nostalgia, passage, character, value......and its timeless gem of a movie. Udo deserves critical acclaim for his role that embodies all these. Thank you for this beautiful and precious piece of exquisite vintage.

Very slow

[Gordon-11 · 26 January 2022]

"Swan Song" is a very slow paced drama. The story is engaging, with a dramatic ending. However, getting there is slow and rather dull. It is nice to watch a film with such a storyline, but I didn't enjoy it.

Sweet, predictably quirky, within its micro-genre

[jimcheva · 6/10 · 5 January 2023]

There is a whole genre of films about people at the end of their lives going on explorations to repair old relationships and maybe live for real one more time after not doing so for a long time. This is a nice example of the genre, with sweet encounters and gentle glimpses of a small-town gay life past and moving into the present. The main character is charming (with the required streak of irascibility) but a little too within the expected range of an ageing queen. His grief for his partner is very reminiscent of similar themes in other films of this sort; his one "conflict" is more gentle than not. Probably the most powerful moment comes when he learns his impact on a young man he'd never met. It's a very likable but not a very original or memorable film.

Udo Kier's Finest Moment

[carolinephillips-47427 · 8/10 · 27 December 2021]

Former small town hairstylist, Pat (Kier), has been spending his days in a retirement home recovering from a stroke. When he receives news that his friend and client, Rita (Evans), has passed away and wanted him to do her hair for her funeral, he gathers up enough strength for one last hurrah, meeting all sorts of interesting characters and resolving past drama on the way.

Swan Song is one of the few films to feature a lead performance by veteran character actor, Udo Kier, and he proves himself to be more than up for the challenge. His character of Pat is will probably be reminiscent of many small town hairdressers who were, unfortunately, born at the wrong time and had to deal with so much more oppression than many of the LGBT people of today.

Jennifer Coolidge turns in an equally great performance as Kier's former student/rival and she's not borrowing from her usual bag of comedy tricks. She creates a fully lifelike and moving character for the few minutes that she's on screen.

Swan Song might be a little too episodic at times, but it all wraps up in a moving and heartfelt way and it's one that's worthy of being seen by wider audience.

Small Town, Big Tale

[westsideschl · 6/10 · 29 December 2021]

DVD lacked subtitles for the elderly, disabled, hearing impaired, and ESL viewers. Disrespectful & cheap on the part of the producers especially when audio & enunciation is poor thus a lower rating.

Opening credit, "Inspired by a true icon." The story of Patrick Pitsenbarger a Sandusky, OH gay hairdresser now retired will he perform one final client makeover (Rita Parker Sloan)? Well acted; well written.

Perfection.

[jeffsocorso · 10/10 · 14 August 2021]

Kudos and blessings on Todd Stephens and Udo Kier for making an absolutely perfect movie. Acting, writing, casting, cinematography, editing, set design, costumes, soundtrack, music selections (two Shirleys.....Bassey AND Horn) and directing... it's all perfect.

(The scene with Pat treating his fellow resident to a makeover brings to mind the scene in All That Jazz when Joe comforts a fellow hospital patient, and tops it.)

Go. See. Laugh. Cry. Enjoy.

It's OK

[matthewmcguire-46325 · 5/10 · 3 July 2022]

I saw this movie when it came out in theatres and I thought it would be a decent little experience seeing this. Turns out I was right. This movie isn't good but isn't bad enough to be considered mediocre. Udo Kier gives a good performance and I'm not disputing that. There are movies worse than this but there are movies that are better than this.

Overall 5/10. It could have been better.

What a beautiful little road movie

[geneticanja · 10/10 · 5 September 2021]

I never heard of Pitsenbarger before watching the movie. What a beautiful story of a man contemplating his life while on the road. It is wonderfully slow and very touching. Udo Kier is well casted, his acting is near to perfection. Bitterness, happiness, sadness, they all have their place during the movie. I hope it will get the attention it deserves. What a gem. And the soundtrack! Great song after great song.

People who commented their dislike of the film just aren't into this type of movie. They should just keep their attention to braindead, predictable action movies.

I cried, I laughed...

[sevenvienna · 10/10 · 14 August 2021]

This was a beautiful movie. Loved it! It was a wild ride but I really enjoyed every minute of it. It is obvious that this movie was made with so much love and respect. Udo Kier is magnificent as Pat!