Swoon is a 1992 American crime drama film written, directed, and edited by Tom Kalin in his feature directorial debut. It stars Craig Chester and Daniel Schlachet, with Michael Kirby, Michael Stumm, and Ron Vawter in supporting roles. It recounts the 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder case, focusing more on the homosexuality of the killers than other films based on the case. Swoon is considered an integral part of the New Queer Cinema movement.
| Swoon | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Tom Kalin |
| Written by | Tom Kalin |
| Produced by | Christine Vachon |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Ellen Kuras |
| Edited by | Tom Kalin |
| Music by | James Bennett |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Fine Line Features |
Release dates |
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Running time | 93 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $250,000 (estimated) |
Plot
editA dramatization of the infamous Leopold and Loeb murder of 1924. Teenagers Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb spend afternoons breaking into storefronts and engaging in petty crimes, until the calculating Nathan ups the ante by kidnapping, and murdering, a young boy. When the body is found, all evidence leads to Nathan and Richard, whose relationship makes the case one of the most talked-about trials of the 1920s.
Cast
edit- Daniel Schlachet as Richard Loeb
- Craig Chester as Nathan Leopold Jr.
- Ron Vawter as State's Attorney Crowe
- Michael Kirby as Detective Savage
- Michael Stumm as Doctor Bowman
- Valda Z. Drabla as Germaine Reinhardt
- Natalie Stanford as Susan Lurie
- Glenn Backes as James Day
Production
editThe film was produced by Christine Vachon for Intolerance and directed by Tom Kalin, who also co‑wrote the screenplay with Hilton Als. Ellen Kuras served as cinematographer, with editing by Kalin and production design by Therese Deprez. The score was composed by James Bennett.[2]
Premiere and release
editThe film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 1992, where it won Best Cinematography.[3] It was theatrically released in the United States on September 11, 1992, by Fine Line Features.[3] It won two awards at the Berlin International Film Festival[4] and received four Independent Spirit Award nominations.[5]
Reception
editThe Los Angeles Times’ Michael Wilmington wrote that Swoon is a black‑and‑white drama about desire and crime. He added that the film uses a noir style and shows the "homophobia" surrounding the case.[6]
The New York Times’ Janet Maslin noted that Swoon challenges familiar "assumptions" about the Leopold and Loeb story, and wrote that its black‑and‑white style and its direct engagement with "prejudice" shape the film’s overall tone.[7]
Richard Brody of The New Yorker described Swoon as "a crucial work of New Queer Cinema," noting its black‑and‑white style. He also wrote that the film uses graphic framing and media‑based devices.[8]
David Thomson of The Guardian’s review called the film a strong take on the Leopold and Loeb story, presented in black‑and‑white. He mentioned that the film focuses on the pair’s relationship and the period’s fears about "unhealthy" sexuality.[9]
Legacy
editScreen Daily describes Christine Vachon as "an architect of new independent cinema," with early 1990s films like Todd Haynes’ Poison and Tom Kalin’s Swoon among the works she became known for.[10]
Awards
edit| Year | Festival | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Berlin International Film Festival | Caligari Film Award | Won |
| 1992 | Berlin International Film Festival | Best Feature – Tom Kalin | Won |
| 1992 | Sundance Film Festival | Cinematography Award (Dramatic) – Ellen Kuras | Won |
| 1992 | Sundance Film Festival | Grand Jury Prize | Nominated |
| 1992 | Gotham Awards | Open Palm Award – Tom Kalin | Won[11] |
| 1992 | Stockholm International Film Festival | FIPRESCI Prize for Best Feature | Won[12] |
| 1992 | Stockholm International Film Festival | Audience Award | Won[12] |
| 1993 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Cinematography – Ellen Kuras | Nominated |
| 1993 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Director – Tom Kalin | Nominated |
| 1993 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best First Feature | Nominated |
| 1993 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Male Lead – Craig Chester | Nominated |
| 1993 | Fantasporto | Directors' Week Award – Tom Kalin | Won[13] |
References
edit- ↑ Maslin, Janet (March 27, 1992). "Review/Film Festival; A New Vision of Leopold and Loeb". The New York Times. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Swoon". Variety. December 31, 1991. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- 1 2 "SWOON (1992)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Swoon – Berlinale Forum". Berlin International Film Festival. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ Fox, David J. (January 19, 1993). "Lodging,' 'False Move' Top Independent Nominees : Movies: Spirit Awards will be presented March 27 in a tent in Santa Monica". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ Wilmington, Michael (September 25, 1992). "Lust, Crime Unite Doomed Teen-Age Lovers in 'Swoon'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ Maslin, Janet (March 27, 1992). "Review/Film Festival; A New Vision of Leopold and Loeb". The New York Times. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ Brody, Richard (July 2, 2021). "Swoon". The New Yorker. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ Thomson, David (June 27, 2008). "Savage Grace". The Guardian. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Far From Heaven sweeps Spirits but war is top topic". Screen Daily. Screen International. March 20, 2003. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Panic & Swoon – Carsey-Wolf Center". University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- 1 2 "3rd Stockholm International Film Festival – FIPRESCI Awards". FIPRESCI. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Book Launch: DUETS William Olander". New Museum. New Museum of Contemporary Art. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
External links
edit- Swoon at IMDb
- Swoon at Rotten Tomatoes