In a personal story to director Todd Stephens, his new film “Swan Song,” world premiering at SXSW in the ‘Narrative Spotlight’ section, is inspired by a real-life “true icon” from his hometown of Sandusky, Ohio. Taking on the role of Pat Pitsenbarger is the great Udo Kier who totally embodies the character.
He once styled all the socialites in Sandusky back in the day, and these days, he spends his time in his nursing home. When his old client Rita (Linda Evans) dies, she had put in her Will that she wants Pat to do her makeup and hair at her funeral. He’s hesitant because of the love lost in their relationship. After reflection, he wants to do it and skips out on his retirement home and recaptures his sparkle during his on-foot road trip.
Udo Kier is fun and lively in this role, showing with his character there’s no age limit to recapturing what makes you happy in life, as he goes from drab retirement home to feeling alive again when he hits the streets. It’s a fun journey, but it’s an emotional one as he comes to terms with his past of losing his business as a former hair salon owner. He remembers his partner David (who passed away during the AIDS epidemic) as well, and these moments are heartbreaking. Writer/Director Todd Stephens shows a knack for inserting a lot of poignant moments but also hilarious ones. And on Pat’s journey, some of the smaller moments mean the most in terms of entertainment.
Since Pat as a character is worried about Sandusky remembering him, one such moment stood out to me. Pat goes to a store where a shop owner, Sue (Stephanie McVay) recognizes him for having cut her hair when she was 19 years old, and this looks to be at least 25-30 years later. Yet, she still remembers him. I think this is a testament to remembering one great moment in your life where you felt beautiful and remember the haircut. It’s nice that Pat could make someone feel good about themselves and defines his imprint. As well, Pat is totally unforgettable in look and wardrobe. “Who could forget the Liberace of Sandusky?” asks Sue.
It’s also exciting watching Pat see the changes in his city in the time he’s been stuck in the retirement home and visiting old friends. He is completely hesitant to reunite with Dee Dee (a fun Jennifer Coolidge), but he’s on search for his beloved Vivante because he needs to do Rita’s hair, and Dee Dee’s shop is the only place in town that sells it.
She’s a big source of some of his bitterness of what happened to his shop and their stand-off is so much fun as they bicker, but also heartbreaking in how you could tell they were such good friends at one point. These layers all come across in their on-screen chemistry. The main story that drives the film in the form of Rita and their relationship has some great moments too, as Linda Evans makes her presence felt throughout in some of the film’s best scenes.
I will note I haven’t seen any of Todd Stephens’ other films, and notably the other two films in his Sandusky trilogy (“Edge of Seventeen,” and “Gypsy 83”). This film comes in as the story of finding yourself and being inspired by where you come from as the real life Mister Pat was a proud gay man in the 1980s. That all inspires in this film, especially as we see Pat feel more like himself visiting these old places (especially the bar where he performed in drag for years) as Pat recaptures his sparkle. The ending here could be abrupt for some, but it’s really such a sweet story with a lot of energy.
*”Swan Song” premiered March 18th at SXSW and is available to ticket holders and press until March 21st at 1 AM CST.
