It is quite
apparent that filmmaker Keith Parmer is attempting to emulate Quentin Tarantino
with his sophomore feature, Swelter.
The beginning opens like so many other Tarantino imitators, with a heist and
convoluted postmodern editing that introduces characters with freeze frame
title information. Then the film moves from crime thriller to western,
segmenting rather than blending the genres. This makes for an overly confusing
first act, before finally settling into a predictable modern western cliché.
This western
storyline culminates in a crappy western town just outside of Las Vegas
The interesting
thing about the filmmakers imitating Tarantino is the fact that he himself relies
on a previously established understanding of genre, borrowing from his
favorites to compile his own narratives. As a result, Swelter feels more like a copy of a copy than it does anything
original. This combined with the fact that the film takes itself too seriously
and has a few too many defective supporting cast members makes Swelter an
inadequate crime film. Say what you will about Tarantino, but he has never made
a film quite this humorless, even when dealing with far more serious topics.
The Blu-ray
release of Swelter includes interviews with key cast and crew members, as well
as a trailer and optional French language dubbing.
Entertainment Value:
6.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 4.5/10
Historical
Significance: 2/10
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