Carlo Mirabella Davis' SWALLOW - Sticks in Your Gut, Unforgettable

SWALLOW is a psychological, suspense drama about a handsome, newly wed couple expecting their first child.  But, an ugly undertow shatters what at first appears an idyllic lifestyle for the beautiful wife, Hunter (a stunning performance by Haley Bennett) and her handsome, but easily distracted husband, Richie (a terrific Austin Stowell).  The couple live in a contemporary & pristine home with shades of "Ad Men" aesthetics in both the interior and couture worn by Hunter.  Richie is greeted by his wife on a nightly basis by Hunter dressed dazzlingly as if for a cocktail party but its merely a weeknight, candle lit dinner at home.  Of course, the multi-course meal is consumed from opposite ends of a long glass table.  Richie is more consumed with his cell that what his wife has to tell.  Dir., screenwriter, producer Carlo M Davis has concocted a truly unique film that is hypnotic, visually stunning; thanks to Katelin Arizmendi's brilliant cinematography and emotionally visceral.  Richie's parents are insidiously manipulative and menacing.  Hunter's background remains a vague, mystery until it begins to unravel as told to her psychiatrist, seemingly with Hunter's sole benefit.  Hunter has developed an appetite for swallowing hazardous objects which require emergency surgery and pose a dire threat to her pregnancy.  Hunter's husband & in-laws understandably take her for needed psychiatric help but are hesitant to leave the room during Hunter's psychiatric sessions.  Hunter's omnipresent husband & his parents hound Hunter relentlessly.   The family hires a male "nurse" to attend Hunter at all times to protect her from harming herself.  "We can't watch you 7/24" says her unctuous mother-in-law who along with her over-bearing father-in-law & 'Stepford' husband have taken control over Hunter's life.  Control is the overriding issue in SWALLOW.  Hunter is baffled by her behavior & tells everyone she doesn't know why she chokes down gagging items: a tack, a battery, a needle and a menagerie of non-edible eateries.  We sympathize with Hunter's unseeming compulsive behaviors & inedible proclivities that have manifested into a battle self-control ingesting life-threatening items.  This suspenseful, provocative picture is a poignant portrayal of Hunter's cravings for basic human needs:  compassion, physical contact and validation.  Hunter's backstory becomes glaringly clear at the end of the movie at which time you may find yourself holding your breath, if not your stomach.  Again, Arizmendi brilliant use of color schemes explode into kaleidoscope technicolor when she ventures outside her meticulous & calmer color palette at home.  SWALLOW is artistically and emotionally unforgettable.  This may not appeal to everyone's taste but  should SWALLOW not be in contention for next year's Oscar it would be an unjust shading.