Mahershala Ali plays a man with a fatal disease who is offered an option to spare his family grief, in the science fiction romance SWAN SONG. Naomie Harris plays the sick man’s wife, Poppy, and Glenn Close plays the scientist who runs the facility who offers that option, in this drama written and directed by Benjamin Cleary.
Curiously, this is the second film this year with this title, the other being a bittersweet indie dramedy about a retired hairdresser who escapes froma nursing home for one last job. This SWAN SONG is a romantic drama with a science fiction bent but largely an acting showcase for Mahershala Ali, who serves as one of the film’s producers. His character is the center of this emotionally-laden story, which touches more on philosophical issues that science ones, meaning its appeal more to fans of romantic drama than science fiction.
The film takes place in a futuristic world where technology is a dominate feature. Everyone has high-tech glasses, watches and homes, AI robots with personality bring snacks on the commuter train, and personal cars have been replaced by driver-less car taxis that have no front or back and can drive in either direction. Despite all the high-tech gear, much of the rest of this world seems much like ours, making it easier to focus on the human story at its heart.
We meet Cameron (Mahershala Ali) as he is facing a health crises and a terminal diagnosis, although his main symptom seems to be periodic collapses and what appear to be seizures. Somehow, he has been able to conceal his illness and diagnosis from his artist wife Poppy (Naomie Harris) and young son, but now he faces a choice. With his time running short, his doctor has referred him to a scientist running a new program, which might offer another option to a difficult conversation with his family.
That option, as the movie’s trailer reveals, is a perfect copy to take his place. Whether this copy is mechanical or biological, the film does not say, and exploring the real science possibilities behind that is not something the film is interested in doing. In another film, all this technology, and especially that choice being offered with which he is grappling, could go down a sinister path. In fact, the facility to which the central character travels while making his difficult choice is in remote location that looks creepily similar to the one in EX MACHINA. However, the focus on this drama is more on the man’s emotional struggle, as he recalls meeting his wife, their romance and his family life.
While there is an sci-fi aspect to this film, the slant is more emotional, philosophical and sadly romantic, just with a futuristic twist. The film never really tries to explain any underlying science, neither his medical condition nor the technological being offered, and exploring it’s far-fetched aspects would just introduce spoilers. The film simply asks us to accept its premise, the result being that we focus instead on the man’s emotional, existential and moral struggle with his decision.
It gives Mahershala Ali a lot of material to work with, and he brings all his dramatic skills to bear on that. This film is definitely a tear-jerker but there are lighter, romantic moments too, as it revisits the couple’s meet-cute on a commuter train, and recaps their romance and life together, scenes often laced with humor and a bubbly charm, a lot of that supplied by Naomie Harris and the young actor playing their quirky-cute son.
Glen Close plays Dr. Scott, the facility’s director, striking the right notes to build tension with a perfect mix of warm concern and underlying creepiness, as Ali’s character goes on his emotional roller-coaster journey. Awkwafina, who plays another patient at the facility who has already made her decision, seems to be there to provide a companion on that journey and lend some lighter moments but she is largely wasted in the role. Adam Beach does well in his smaller role as a psychologist at the facility.
Mahershala Ali gives a fine performance, and the scenes between him and Naomie Harris are touching. Primarily, this is a showcase for Ali’s considerable acting talent and a film with more to offer fans of romantic tear-jerkers than science fiction.
SWAN SONG opens Friday, Dec. 17, in theaters and streaming on Apple TV+.
RATING: 2 out of 4 stars
