Swoon (film)

Swoon
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTom Kalin
Written byTom Kalin
Produced byChristine Vachon
Starring
CinematographyEllen Kuras
Edited byTom Kalin
Music byJames Bennett
Production
companies
Distributed byFine Line Features
Release dates
  • January 23, 1992 (1992-01-23) (Sundance)
  • September 11, 1992 (1992-09-11) (United States)
Running time
93 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$250,000 (estimated)

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.

Plot

A 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

  • 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

The 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

The 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

The 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

Screen 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

YearFestivalCategoryResult
1992Berlin International Film FestivalCaligari Film AwardWon
1992Berlin International Film FestivalBest Feature – Tom KalinWon
1992Sundance Film FestivalCinematography Award (Dramatic) – Ellen KurasWon
1992Sundance Film FestivalGrand Jury PrizeNominated
1992Gotham AwardsOpen Palm Award – Tom KalinWon[11]
1992Stockholm International Film FestivalFIPRESCI Prize for Best FeatureWon[12]
1992Stockholm International Film FestivalAudience AwardWon[12]
1993Independent Spirit AwardsBest Cinematography – Ellen KurasNominated
1993Independent Spirit AwardsBest Director – Tom KalinNominated
1993Independent Spirit AwardsBest First FeatureNominated
1993Independent Spirit AwardsBest Male Lead – Craig ChesterNominated
1993FantasportoDirectors' Week Award – Tom KalinWon[13]

References

  1. ↑ Maslin, Janet (March 27, 1992). "Review/Film Festival; A New Vision of Leopold and Loeb". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Swoon". Variety. December 31, 1991. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "SWOON (1992)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Swoon – Berlinale Forum". Berlin International Film Festival. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  5. ↑ 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. Archived from the original on January 4, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  6. ↑ Wilmington, Michael (September 25, 1992). "Lust, Crime Unite Doomed Teen-Age Lovers in 'Swoon'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  7. ↑ Maslin, Janet (March 27, 1992). "Review/Film Festival; A New Vision of Leopold and Loeb". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  8. ↑ Brody, Richard (July 2, 2021). "Swoon". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ Thomson, David (June 27, 2008). "Savage Grace". The Guardian. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Far From Heaven sweeps Spirits but war is top topic". Screen Daily. Screen International. March 20, 2003. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Panic & Swoon – Carsey-Wolf Center". University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  12. 1 2 "3rd Stockholm International Film Festival – FIPRESCI Awards". FIPRESCI. Archived from the original on June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Book Launch: DUETS William Olander". New Museum. New Museum of Contemporary Art. Archived from the original on June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
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