Sword of Trust - A Movie Review

I have an amazing story about this sword.

Sword of Trust is a 2019 film. A couple finds an interesting story buried in her late grandfather’s inheritance. He has left her with an antique story. In the curiosity, they pitch the story to an antique store to see if the fortune is true.

The late Lynn Shelton was an extraordinary filmmaker who left us too soon. Sword of Trust is her final project. It’s a somewhat corny film that I weirdly liked for its realistic interactions between the main characters.

Marc Maron, Jon Bass, Michaela Watkins, and Jillian Bell star as the main quartet. Overall, the film is well-acted. Their chemistry is palpable, adding depth and authenticity to their relationships. Mary and Cynthia are a couple who obsess over this historical find. Mel and Nathaniel had the funniest dynamic. Nathaniel is an airhead who gets on his boss’s nerves.

One scene that I call the signature moment is the characters talking during the truck ride. This scene lasts 10 minutes. Now, any other film would skip right to the destination arrival, but Lynn Shelton chose to write a scene with the characters conversing. This film would have a huge hole without this scene.

They talk about how they met and their relationships with one another. The cast brought nuances to their characters. They paid close attention to their dynamics. They were also allowed to improvise a fair deal. I liked the addition of Mel and Nathaniel’s co-worker story. Co-worker relationships deserve more recognition.

By the climax, I couldn’t take this film seriously anymore. I wasn’t sure if I was watching a movie or a skit on SNL. Once the characters arrive at the pawn shop, it’s a lot of nonsense! The narrative lacks a cohesive flow, relying on the actors rather than a script.

I laughed a lot, but the story is absurd and the conversations are so random. I wasn’t convinced that the character believed a far-fetched story. The dialogue isn’t natural and sounds like it’s being read from a script. Two characters sit down and talk about ghosts during a hostage negotiation!

The narrative unfolds with a blend of humor, wit, and unexpected twists. Maybe this movie was absurd, but it’s only looking to entertain. The absurdity drives the story forward. I liked the bits of comedy, like the two men attempting to rob the characters because it’s something unexpected. Something is always happening in each scene.

As for the setting, antique stores harbor several exciting stories. The movie was shot in Alabama. The choice of locations plays a pivotal role. Shelton chose to film in Alabama because it made for a rich and authentic setting.

There are some elements that Shelton could have expanded on. For example, Shelton played a small character named, Dierdre. Dierdra has the most interesting story out of anyone. She’s had a history at the antique shop (and with Mel) but she only has one scene.

Shelton had a knack for transforming narratives into something more. Her direction was formulaic and she aimed to capture realism. She chose things that may not have been significant, but they were. Shelton had a unique focus on interactions and character relationships.

The moral of the story is that we shouldn’t believe everything we hear. Look where it may get you. As the characters remark, it is a strange experience.

The humor appealed to me from Sword of Trust. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but check out Sword of Trust. It’s a testament to Lynn Shelton’s final work.