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The Song of Sway Lake

  • 2018
  • R
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
766
YOUR RATING
The Song of Sway Lake (2018)
Trailer for The Song of Sway Lake. http://SwayLake.com

It's summer on Sway Lake, the most glamorous lake in the Adirondacks - former playground of the jazz-age New York aristocracy. Music collector Ollie Sway recruits his only friend, a rowdy Russian drifter, to help him steal a 78 record from his own family's estate. Ollie believes that this mysterious piece of music - recorded at his grandparents' wedding by Cole Porter's lover - was hidden for him by his father before his suicide. He believes possessing the record will change his life.

The boys' mission should be as easy as meeting a pretty girl on the water, but the arrival of the beguiling matriarch herself, Charlie Sway, changes everything. For Charlie has her own plans. And this song that hasn't been heard in half a century may possess the answer to the deepest riddles about love and death - for whichever of these three lost souls will be the first to find it. 

The Song of Sway Lake is a lush romantic drama about the vanished grace of America, and the spell cast by the melodies of the dead. 

Starring RORY CULKIN (Signs), ROBERT SHEEHAN (Misfits, Peter Jackson's Mortal Engines, 2018), MARY BETH PEIL (Tony nomination for Anastasia, 2017), ISABELLE MCNALLY, ELIZABETH PEÑA, and JACK FALAHEE.

Featuring vocal/music performances by JOHN GRANT, THE STAVES, and BRIAN DENNEHY.
Play trailer2:08
1 Video
99+ Photos
Coming-of-AgeTeen DramaDramaMusicRomance

Music collector Ollie Sway recruits his only friend, a rowdy Russian drifter, to help him steal a 78 record from his own family's estate.Music collector Ollie Sway recruits his only friend, a rowdy Russian drifter, to help him steal a 78 record from his own family's estate.Music collector Ollie Sway recruits his only friend, a rowdy Russian drifter, to help him steal a 78 record from his own family's estate.

  • Director
    • Ari Gold
  • Writers
    • Elizabeth Bull
    • Ari Gold
  • Stars
    • Rory Culkin
    • Robert Sheehan
    • Isabelle McNally
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    766
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ari Gold
    • Writers
      • Elizabeth Bull
      • Ari Gold
    • Stars
      • Rory Culkin
      • Robert Sheehan
      • Isabelle McNally
    • 29User reviews
    • 32Critic reviews
    • 51Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Song of Sway Lake
    Trailer 2:08
    The Song of Sway Lake

    Photos122

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    + 118
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    Top cast25

    Edit
    Rory Culkin
    Rory Culkin
    • Ollie
    Robert Sheehan
    Robert Sheehan
    • Nikolai
    Isabelle McNally
    Isabelle McNally
    • Isadora
    Mary Beth Peil
    Mary Beth Peil
    • Charlie Sway
    Elizabeth Peña
    Elizabeth Peña
    • Marlena
    Jack Falahee
    Jack Falahee
    • Jimmy
    Brian Dennehy
    Brian Dennehy
    • Hal Sway
    Anna Shields
    Anna Shields
    • Heather
    Gary Arzberger
    • Volunteer Fireman
    John W. Bard
    • Biker Man
    Jason Brill
    • Timmy Sway
    Bob Foley
    • John Durant
    Robert Forgett
    • Angry Man
    John Grant
    • Tweed McKay
    Kasey Kenyon
    • Ray
    Zak Kilberg
    Zak Kilberg
    • Cook
    Jamel King
    Jamel King
    • Lifeguard
    Karen Lordi-Kirkham
    • Canoe Tourist
    • Director
      • Ari Gold
    • Writers
      • Elizabeth Bull
      • Ari Gold
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    6.1766
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    Featured reviews

    8gensbill

    The Past Can Kill You

    I would have watched this just for Elizabeth Pena, who I have loved since I Married Dora.

    I am personally grateful they gave a nod to her in the dedications, although her name should have been first -- it was her last film. But, that's just me.

    Borrowing the past to make a past of your own to have a future, or even just memories -- I enjoyed the film very much.
    JohnJax468

    Decent, but not great, movie

    This is the type of movie in which you won't regret watching it after the film is over, but you might think what else you could have done with your time and money if you spent any to see it.
    8chicksrule98

    A Really Good Time

    The aesthetics of the film were amazing, there were some beautiful shots. The plot was straight forward and the characters were fairly fleshed out. Robert Sheehan played a particularly colorful character named Nikolai, who spent a good bit of the movie barely or not at all clothed - so if you're in it for gratuitous Sheehan, you're all set. Overall it was really enjoyable for my friend and I, though we didn't spend much time discussing it after talking about what we thought happened after the ending. As a comparable musical once said, "Look, I know it's not a perfect show...It does what it's supposed to do; it takes you to another world. A little something for when you're feeling blue, you know?" And this film did just that. It's an escape to a warmer, more interesting place of exploration and ultimately growth.
    10kuchelbeker

    Bitter happiness.

    From the first time it is difficult to say what exactly is meant in the film. Is it about the collector and his search for the record? About how a person finds love? Or is it a story about the past, present and future? Everyone will find in the picture its meaning. The meaning that is close to you. This film immerses you in a world far from the hustle and bustle, where everything lives its unusual and unique life. Light melancholy about summer and childhood, about the time when the world was completely different. The action takes place slowly, giving us a feel for the atmosphere and characters. It doesn't make you bored, it makes you dive into the movie again and again. For me it was a story about the past, a painful and sad past that does not allow me to forget about myself. The story of Ollie, who lost his father-the only person who understood him. He wants to find something special for him. The story of Nikolai, who is looking for wealth, but finds something completely different. He faces the fact that not everything can be stolen. The past cannot be returned, history cannot be rewritten. Each of the characters is afraid to meet with himself, to reveal himself and his feelings for others. You will remember the story for a long time after viewing, go back to it again and find something new. Many thanks to the whole team for this incredible story and emotions experienced during the viewing. Such a vivid and sensual film a great rarity now.
    6tiffsings

    Great Robert Sheehan Movie!

    Robert Sheehan did amazing at acting and his accent in this movie it had a nice story a lot I was not expecting while watching this if you love unique and different movies then this is for you.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Elsie Fisher in Eighth Grade (2018)
    Coming-of-Age
    Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club (1985)
    Teen Drama
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)
    Music
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Elizabeth Peña's final movie. At least four movies were released after her death.
    • Goofs
      From 1:29:19 onwards, when Nikolai is gravely injured and being transported to a hospital, there is heavy AV mismatch. Dialogues have been changed after the shoot.
    • Quotes

      [Isadora moans after she confronts Ollie spying on her]

      Ollie: What are you doing?

      Isadora: Tantric breathing. It's empowering.

    • Soundtracks
      Sway Lake (Big Band Version)
      Written by Ethan Gold

      Vocals by The Staves

      Courtesy of Warner Music UK Ltd.

      Arranged by Gina Leishman

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 21, 2018 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Website
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Begin the Beguine
    • Filming locations
      • Blue Mountain Lake, New York, USA(Crane Point Lodge)
    • Production companies
      • Grack Films
      • Social Construct
      • Act Zero Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 34m(94 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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