Swan Song (2021 Benjamin Cleary film)

Not to be confused with Swan Song (2021 Todd Stephens film).

Swan Song
Release poster
Directed by	Benjamin Cleary
Written by	Benjamin Cleary
Produced by	Mahershala Ali Rebecca Bourke Jonathan King Jacob Perlin Adam Shulman Mimi Valdés
Starring	Mahershala Ali Naomie Harris Awkwafina Glenn Close
Cinematography	Masanobu Takayanagi
Edited by	Nathan Nugent
Music by	Jay Wadley
Production companies	Apple Studios Anonymous Content Know Wonder Concordia Studio
Distributed by	Apple TV+
Release date	December 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)
Running time	112 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Swan Song is a 2021 American science fiction romantic drama film written and directed by Benjamin Cleary. The film stars Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Awkwafina, Glenn Close, and Adam Beach.

Swan Song was released in select theaters and on Apple TV+ on December 17, 2021. The film received generally positive reviews from critics.

Plot

When a loving husband and father Cameron Turner is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he is presented with the option of sparing his family grief by having him replaced with a clone. Turner is torn about whether to discuss the option with his wife.

Cast

• Mahershala Ali as Cameron Turner, a family man suffering from a terminal illness.
  • Ali also portrays Jack, Cameron's clone.
• Naomie Harris as Poppy Turner, Cameron's wife.
• Awkwafina as Kate, a previously cloned human.
• Glenn Close as Dr. Scott, the brash director of human cloning.
• Adam Beach as Dalton
• Lee Shorten as Rafa

Production

In February 2020, Apple TV+ announced it had acquired the rights to the film, to be written and directed by Benjamin Cleary and star Mahershala Ali.^[1] In September, Naomie Harris joined the cast,^[2] and Awkwafina and Glenn Close signed on in November.^[3][4] Adam Beach announced he was added to the cast in December.^[5]

Principal photography began on November 9, 2020 in Vancouver, Canada^[6][7] and concluded on February 6, 2021.^[8] The film was released on December 17, 2021.^[9]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 79% of 100 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The website's consensus reads: "Swan Song occasionally strays on the wrong side of maudlin, but Mahershala Ali's work in dual roles lends this sci-fi drama genuine heart."^[10] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, based on 27 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".^[11]

Accolades

Ceremony	Category	Recipient(s)/Nominee(s)	Results	Ref.
22nd Black Reel Awards	Outstanding Actor	Mahershala Ali	Nominated	[12][13]
75th British Academy Film Awards	Best Actor in a Leading Role		Nominated
2nd Critics' Choice Super Awards	Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie		Nominated
	Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie	—	Nominated
79th Golden Globe Awards	Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama	Mahershala Ali	Nominated	[12][13]
18th Irish Film & Television Awards	Best Film	—	Nominated	[14]
	Best Director	Benjamin Cleary	Nominated
	Best Script		Nominated
	Best Editing	Nathan Nugent	Nominated
	Best Sound	Steve Fanagan	Won
	Best VFX	Ed Bruce & Manuel Martinez	Nominated
	Rising Star	Benjamin Cleary	Nominated	[15]
53rd NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture	Mahershala Ali	Nominated	[12][13]

References

1. "Apple Sets Benjamin Cleary Film 'Swan Song' Starring Mahershala Ali". Archived from the original on 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
2. "Naomie Harris Joins Mahershala Ali In Apple Original Film 'Swan Song'". Archived from the original on 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
3. Kroll, Justin (November 18, 2020). "Awkwafina Joins Mahershala Ali And Naomie Harris In Apple Pic 'Swan Song'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
4. Welk, Brian (November 19, 2020). "Glenn Close Joins Mahershala Ali in 'Swan Song' for Apple TV+". TheWrap. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
5. Beach, Adam [@adamruebenbeach] (December 1, 2020). "Honored to be in this one 🎬 https://t.co/sSvEn3dcug" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
6. "Swan Song Production Start Date". Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
7. Hollywood North Buzz - YVRShoots [@yvrshoots] (November 26, 2020). "It's Apple original movie #SwanSong with Mahershala Ali filming in an East Vancouver neighbourhood. Thanks @viidub, @R_Aravern & @wiebeypie. https://t.co/SmBcQnZpCT" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
8. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-04-09. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
9. Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 13, 2021). "Apple Bites Into Oscar Season December 17: Here's First Images Of Swan Song With Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Glenn Close & Awkwafina". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
10. "Swan Song". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
11. "Swan Song". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
12. Lattanzio, Ryan (13 December 2021). "2022 Golden Globe Nominations: 'Licorice Pizza,' 'Squid Game,' 'West Side Story,' and More". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
13. Hipes, Patrick (January 9, 2022). "Golden Globes: The Power Of The Dog, West Side Story, Succession Lead Way – Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
14. "IFTA 2022 NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE IRISH ACADEMY AWARDS". Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
15. "IFTA ANNOUNCES THE SCREEN IRELAND - IFTA RISING STAR NOMINEES 2022". Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022.

External links

• Swan Song at IMDb
• Official screenplay