'Sword Of Trust' A Review

Sword Of Trust is a comedy about a Birmingham, AL pawn shop owner Mel(Marc Maron) his goober employee Nathaniel(Jon Bass) and a lesbian couple Cynthia(Jillian Bell) and Mary(Michaela Watkins) who, after inheriting a sword which is supposed evidence of a confederate victory in the civil war, coordinate in an attempt to sell it. Although this absurd and convoluted premise is ostensibly the film's plot it is more a casual, funny, occasionally emotional character study.

Maron puts in the most nuanced and evocative performance of his career to-date. He's afforded a lot of screen time so he has further to range than in most of his supporting roles, he also plays a version of himself (from New Mexico, in recovery) but is able to play more with the differences and channel some real pain and catharsis into the characters story. He has a monologue with the other three leads in the back of a box truck which is shocking in it's impact, one of the best films of the year. Both Bell and Watkins give playful, funny, but also grounded performances also two actors more accustomed to supporting roles(especially in film) so it is a wonderful chance to see more of them and their range. The outlier is Bass who is serviceable but a little over-the-top and uninspired, muted by the wattage of the other three. The rest of the cast all do well in what basically amount to extended cameos. The most notable is writer/director Lynn Shelton as Mel's ex Deirdre which is exquisitely heartbreaking.

Visually simple with a solid soundtrack, the humor and authenticity of the leads are what really carry the day, the plot about the sword is secondary to the breezy honest and provocative characters we get to spend time with. A small film that packs a surprising punch and a showcase for Maron who continues his slow trudge toward an astonishing career.

See It.