ReelBob: ‘Sword of Trust’ ★★★½

By Bob Bloom

The title, “Sword of Trust,” tells it all about this indie feature propelled by dry humor and an undercurrent of social commentary about conspiracy theories and individual belief mechanisms.

The movie is jump-started by Cynthia (Jillian Bell) inheriting a Civil War sword from her grandfather. The relic also comes with a note that Cynthia and her partner, Mary (Michaela Watkins), believe makes the sword very valuable.

Because the two are in financial difficulties — Cynthia was expecting to inherit her grandfather’s house — she and Mary take the sword to a pawn shop run by the curmudgeonly Mel (Marc Maron), who offers them a pittance for the weapon.

But Mel’s young employee, Nathaniel (Jonathan Bass), checks out the sword on the Internet and discovers that it is worth much more money, especially to a niche group of conspiracy buffs who believe the South actually won the War Between the States and that the sword is part of the proof necessary to validate their assumptions.

Eventually, the four must reluctantly join forces as strange, black-market buyers begin coming out of the woodwork wanting the sword.

The movie’s comedy is situational, and more character driven. At times, some of it feels improvisational, which is supported by Maron’s droll retorts and reactions.

One of the movie’s most salient observations is about truth — and how in these times it has become suspect.

No rational person can — or should — actually believe the Confederacy won the Civil War, yet as director Lynn Shelton, who cowrote the script with Mike O’Brien, shows, such people do exist.

And when you attempt to use rational arguments and facts when refuting them, the advocates simply tell you to look on the Internet because that is where today’s truths exist.

Maron, a podcaster and comedian, offers a spot-on, deadpan performance as the cynical Mel, whose modus operandi is to pay as little as possible to his pawnshop customers, even to routinely downplay the worth of an item.

Nathaniel is a space cadet, continually trolling the Internet, checking out various oddball sites, such as one claiming the Earth is flat — which he wholly accepts. Bass embraces the character and, smartly, does not portray him as a buffoon.

Bell’s Cynthia is a sweet, almost naïve young woman who masks her anxieties behind a cheery smile and a positive outlook.

Watkins’ Mary, an Israeli army veteran, is more assertive and pragmatic. Her early repartee with Mel when trying to sell the heirloom, before its actual worth is discovered, is sharply entertaining.

“Sword of Trust” is not a laugh-out-loud movie. It’s one of those features that makes you chuckle as you observe how these characters respond to certain situations.

As its title declares, trust is a major theme that runs through the film’s 98-minute running time. Trust can be a double-edged sword, according to Shelton and O’Brien. It must be earned as well as given. And without it, life can be as dull as the point of an antique sabre.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

SWORD OF TRUST
3½ stars out of 4
(R), language