Swiss Army Man, the 2016 comedy starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, is one of the most original films made in the last two decades. It tells the story of a lonely man named Hank who runs away from home only to become stranded on an island. There he meets a corpse named Manny who helps him get back to civilization.
Because Dano and Radcliffe, in his most unusual film since the Harry Potter movies, share the screen for most of the film, their dialogue is crucial. The movie features many quotes that reflect the hilarious plot, as well as its overarching emotional and relatable themes.
Swiss Army Special
"You're like the multipurpose tool guy. You're special." — Hank.
Over the course of the movie, Hank discovers the wide variety of powers that Manny possesses. From magically releasing fresh water to shooting objects out of his mouth like bullets, Manny's abilities play a crucial role in Hank's survival as they journey home.
This quote perfectly summarizes Manny's surface-level role within the movie and refers back to its title. He is the corpse who has come back to life to save Hank with his various uses.
The Greatest Movie Of All Time
"If you don't know Jurassic Park, you don't know s---." — Hank.
As Hank tries to trigger Manny's brain into remembering his life before he died, he begins to describe the sequence of events that would happen leading up to this revelation. Hank's interpretation of the event is very descriptive and theatrical, reflecting his deep want for Manny to remember, and leads to him humming the Jurassic Park theme to add emphasis.
This specific pop-culture reference seems random, which makes it funny. However, Jurassic Park was a formidable part of pop culture in the 1990s and could possibly be Hank's favorite movie.
One Way To Navigate
"Manny, I think your penis is guiding us home." — Hank.
Much of Swiss Army Man's laughs are generated by crass jokes that are delivered in a light and humorous way. In this scene, Manny gets an erection while looking at a woman in a magazine. Hank notices that Manny's penis seems to be pointing in a specific direction and when he tries to push it back down, it snaps back up.
This quote is an example of the film's pairing of embarrassing acts with heroic intentions. Rather than a compass, Manny uses his penis to direct Hank back to civilization.
Get On The Bus
"Welcome to the bus. This is how people like us get places if we're too poor to drive ourselves." — Hank.
A major plot point in Hank and Manny's journey home is Hank's reflection on the uncomfortable parts of his life that he is unable to confront. His inability to cope with these situations and realities is what led him to run away from home in the first place.
Hank teaches Manny about these situations to come to grips with them himself. During this scene, Hank is recreating a moment in his life in which he admires a woman that takes the same bus as him. This quote is essentially an insult, but there's humor in its relatability.
The Facts Of Life
"Everything poops." — Hank.
The body's excretory system is a significant motif, and arguably its own character, within Swiss Army Man. Feces and flatulence are two natural parts of life that modern society has deemed embarrassing to talk about.
When Hank teaches Manny about poop, he reverts to a parental model, referring to a children's book that many parents use to teach their children about bodily waste. It's a rather cute yet crude moment in the film, causing the viewer to reflect on their own attitude towards the subject.
Uncomfortable Tears
"Is this crying? I don't like it. It's wet and uncomfortable." — Manny.
One of the substantial parts of being human that many people are afraid to confront or embrace is the wide range of emotions they experience. Crying in particular is sometimes interpreted as a sign of weakness, especially when it comes to men, and labeled as an act that should be done in private.
As Manny becomes more and more alive, he experiences different emotions, including sadness. When tears begin to stream down his face, Manny feels an extreme discomfort that mirrors society's views on crying in public.
He Who Smelt It
"It was me. I did it." — Hank.
In the final scene of the movie, a pivotal moment occurs when Hank finally accepts and embraces the embarrassing and uncomfortable parts of life that he used to hide from. On the beach with a crowd of onlookers, he releases flatulence and owns up to it.
It's such a simple quote and a simple scene, yet it holds a lot of value. It represents Hank's growth over the course of the movie and causes viewers to reflect on their own lives and maybe change their perspectives as well.
A Fate Worse Than Death
"What if I say something stupid? I'll just want to die." — Manny.
Much of Hank's anxiety relates to an interaction with the woman on the bus that he is attracted to. Although they ride the same bus almost every day, he cannot seem to muster the courage to go and talk to her.
In Hank and Manny's reenactment of this event, Manny expresses the same feelings as Hank, most clearly the fear that prevented him from taking the initial step in getting to know the woman. It is an extremely relatable feeling.
Intimacy Between Friends
"If my best friend keeps his farts from me, what else is he hiding from me, and why does that thought make me feel so alone?" — Manny.
Equally important to Hank's personal growth is the growing relationship between him and Manny. Unaware that Hank is using Manny as a tool to get home and a way to get over his anxieties, Manny believes that he and Hank are best friends.
This quote from Manny is heartbreaking, for it reveals the depth of his love for Hank and alludes to the feelings of loneliness that consumed Hank in his everyday life. At the core of this quote is the supposed freedom to be your authentic self in front of your friends.
Propelled By Farts
"This man saved me from the brink of death when he allowed me to ride him like a Jet Ski." — Hank.
The quirkiness and charm of the entire film can be summarized in this one quote. After meeting Manny in the opening scene, Hank discovers that Manny can float and move in the water using the power of his flatulence. Hank harnesses this power and rides Manny back to the mainland.
This quote is the hook that sets the tone for the rather outrageous plot and convinces viewers to keep watching to see what is going to happen next. It also serves as a tool for viewers to use to convince others to watch the movie.