Adapted from his own short film by writer-director Freddy MacDonald, the plot of indie comedy-thriller Sew Torn is threaded through an inspired conceit – imagining just how far the talents of a nimble seamstress could be adapted to manipulate the world around her. While this neatly crafted film is set amidst the mountain ranges of Switzerland, Sew Torn possesses the ambience of a French left-field arthouse flick; imagine the whimsy of Amélie or the absurdity of Delicatessen woven into a crime caper.
The sewing business that Barbara (Eve Connolly) has inherited from her effortlessly successful mother is in financial trouble and facing closure. On the way back from a meeting with a toxic client, Barbara drives past the scene of an accident on an isolated mountain road: two prone motorcyclists injured and sprawled out amidst crashed bikes, a stash of drugs spilt on the tarmac, a locked suitcase and two pistols. It’s a potentially life-changing moment. What follows is a Run, Lola Run-style pursuit of the consequences of three equally fateful decisions that Barbara could make while she’s still alone on the scene.
MacDonald’s script revels in exploring how Barbara’s skills with a needle might be used to extricate her from the jeopardy her poor choices entangle her in, as suspicious locals, crime gang members, law enforcement officials, and an outraged client all try to stitch her up. The film’s strong visuals and bright colour palette make good use of the arresting Swiss landscape, but what entertains throughout Sew Torn are the elaborate ruses, traps, and set-pieces that Barbara improvises from her sewing kit.
While Connolly is great as the resourceful dressmaker, it’s the supporting ensemble of weird and wonderful characters which makes Sew Torn shine. In particular, John Lynch makes light work of the role of mob boss Hudson Armitage, while the redoubtable K Callan clearly relishes the role of the oddball but by-the-book Ms Engel (the village’s combo cop and wedding celebrant). While this is larger-than-life storytelling, it’s witty, stylish and – while MacDonald sometimes overstretches his fabric – never loses the thread of its own ridiculousness.
SEW TORN is available now on streaming platforms, including Amazon.
