The Swearing Jar seems to have an interesting story. A couple, Cary,(Adelaide Clemens) and Simon, (Patrick J. Adams) find out they are going to have their first child. The couple swears like the use of profanity will be outlawed. They make a vow, that they will stop swearing. There will be a penalty to pay if they break the vow. They will put money in a jar.
This would be a simple and possibly enjoyable story. There is added to the plot a stereotypical mother-in-law, Bev, (Kathleen Turner). There is a unique bent regarding the mother-in-law-daughter-in-law relationship. Carey gets along with Bev. It is Simon who has a big issue with his mother. He doesn’t like her interference in everything. He also blames Bev for his parents divorce. Carey has a full time teaching job. She also is part of a guitar duet, with Owen, (Douglas Smith). They perform at a club. Carey sings and Owen does backup. This is where the plot thickens. Owen has fallen for Cary. He manages to convince Cary to spend an afternoon in the park. He shows his feelings for the singing teacher by kissing her. It is like many of these movies, a plot device. Carey has responded in a positive way. Unfortunately she is seen by Bev. She happens to be walking by. This interrupts the romantic interlude.
This movie has a love triangle. It also has a couple who should be happy, but aren’t. They are quarreling constantly. It also deals with loss. The main issue is there are some large plot holes. A truck could drive through them. The main one is why does Simon share a huge secret, with his mother and not Carey. He has such animosity toward the woman who gave him life, that he has a negative name for her in his phone contacts. She has the name evil mother person. There is also the interruption of the love triangle for great sadness. It pushes the film in a completely different direction. There is also the absence of Owen for much of the second half of the film. Owen is much more interesting than Simon.
Some of the best scenes are in the club. The dark lighting, pretty much sums up Carey’s life. Kathleen Turner proves that even though her star has faded, she can still act with the best of them. Her scenes with Patrick Adams are very good. This movie however, doesn’t focus on the male leads.this is a good thing, because their acting range is limited. Adelaide Clemens is a very talented actress. She carries this movie, particularly, when the plot shifts dramatically.
The movie should be better than it is. The screenwriter, Kate Hewlett, wrote the play. She may not have had total control. That is how the movie industry works in many cases. It could also be Lindsay MacKay. She won many awards for her film work in college and out of it. Directing a movie is not a mainstream job, and is very difficult. Hard work and time eventually pay off in the industry. It is hoped that her next outing will be better. The Swearing Jar can be skipped, for better drama.