Sweetheart [2019]
"I hope this letter is enough for you to believe my story."
Sweetheart is the perfect example of a film that knows what it is and never strays from that idea, but maybe tarries a bit too long in defining it. Though it misses some beats along the way, Sweetheart is nothing if not a visionary insight into what will become a very seriously interesting film career for writer/director J.D. Dillard.
Heart tells the story of a woman who washes ashore after some sort of incident and is forced to survive while facing off against... well, I'll leave that for you to find out.
While Sweetheart is a bit plodding in its execution, the bones beneath the somewhat misguided piece are immaculate. Similar to the storytelling of It Comes at Night, Heart gives us a singular perspective on its story through the eyes of our main character, and through her eyes only. It gives a very interesting, focused, and intentionally myopic view of events; forcing the audience to live the film directly alongside the characters onscreen.
Had it been about 7 minutes shorter and cut the entire "climactic" scene, Sweetheart would have had one of my favorite indie film endings in recent history. As is, the film is still definitely worth watching for some incredible creature FX, great commitment to theme, and a fun ending credits sequence.
Slow, spartan, and strange, I moderately enjoyed my time with this as it happened, but massively enjoy thinking about its structure and artistic vision. As I mentioned, I wish Sweetheart had hit a few more beats (specifically in the very beginning and the climactic moments) as it kind of drags us through the sand a bit, but I will absolutely be watching for the name J.D. Dillard in the future of film.
"The truth doesn't always come with a receipt."
