[There are two 2021 films titled SWAN SONG. One is a science fiction film with Mahershala Ali. This is not that film. This is a drama film with Udo Kier.]

Udo Kier got his real start as the star of FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN and for BLOOD FOR DRACULA, and has been known mostly as a character actor in his over-200 films. In SWAN SONG, he is a retired hair dresser asked to do the hair and make-up for a former client with whom he had a falling-out. His character, Patrick Pitsenbarger, was a real hairdresser to the Sandusky socialites "back in the day" and a well-known drag performer. Patrick (a.k.a. "Mister Pat") keeps his history alive with a set of very old photographs and memories of himself and his family. This is a familiar story of old person revisiting places from their youth, as well as a story of someone discovering that they never understood what the real situation was. What starts as pity in the viewer transforms into an appreciation of "Mister Pat's" charm and joie de vivre, with some moments of sadness for the disappearance of a gay culture he was such a part of. (Upon hearing that the drag bar where he used to perform is closing, Pat plaintively asks, "But where will we dance now?")

Released on various streaming services 08/13/21. Rating: high +1 (-4 to +4), or 6/10.

Film Credits: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10832274/reference

What others are saying: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/swan_song_2021

					Mark R. Leeper
					Copyright 2021 Mark R. Leeper