Sword of Trust

The build up is masterful. Other than Jon Bass' oaf, the characters are delightful and are given a snappy, grounded, and very compelling script. Watkins and Bell have a lovely, dry dynamic and Maron is phenomenal. But the fulfillment of the plot is terribly weak, the whole climax is a misfire, and the ending is a letdown. Still, the end is worth the journey, because the journey was great.

Sardonically low-key mumblecore comedy becomes more intriguing and beguiling as it goes on, because its tone is so defiantly "all over the map", encapsulated in Maron's strange but oddly endearing lead performance - his mini-breakdown comes out of left field, but is an emotional knock out (I think!) In some ways hampered by its ultimate tonal problems because its hard to know how seriously we are meant to take it, and therefore it doesn't add up to much, but still enjoyable and memorable.

I wouldn't say that this blows the doors off but at the same time I liked it more than I thought I would. It falters a bit once they leave the pawn shop, but up until then it was a pretty funny film. Not laugh out loud, lose your shit funny... but subtle, sarcastic. This is mostly because of how Maron plays off the other three.

A funny, heartwarming film. It's also nice to see Maron actually act (he's great in this!) instead of yelling at me through my headphones about how much he hates the post office. Rip Shelton, you will be missed!

As someone who listens to every Maron episode, this was a film I always intended to watch. I just never thought it would be posthumous.

Sword of Trust is a quirky film that gets by on the comedic prowess of its cast. Maron employs the same sarcastic, parental dynamic he uses in GLOW to take the lead. The film is oddly paced and a little aimless but its humour is the conversations had. Nothing spectacular, but worth the watch.

A good mix of offbeat humor, odd characters, and kooky story elements. It held my interest waiting to see what absurd thing or wacky turn of events would come next. The presentation is generally light-hearted, but the possibility of dark elements was always close by. Some of the twists were patently ridiculous, but there were also moments of genuine emotion. Overall, it was uneven but worthwhile.

The first act set-up of the quirky plot and authentic characters is great (minus the TV sitcom-esque in-between-scenes guitar riffs), wonderfully acted and laced with subtle humour and dramatic intrigue that are followed up on to absolute perfection in that thing of dramatic/comedic beauty that is the truck convo (Maron's monologue is a particular highlight). After all that great script work though the ending feels a little too insubstantial, and comes a good half hour too early too to boot.

I'm still desperately waiting for that Lynn Shelton that really blows me away. This is good stuff tho.

Shelton brings her lost-adults mumblecore to internet conspiracy theories. You know not to expect an explosive finale, but the road there is pretty damn entertaining.

Surprise gun!

Marin has a lot of on screen charisma that kind of carries this thing. There are some good moments in here and worth watching, but the humor and plot line are bland and setup takes a while too get going.

*bluesy guitar noodling intensifies* "B-ham lives!"