Length: 05:05
Logline: A man begins his day but is preoccupied with thoughts of the girl he met the night before.
I wasn't entirely sure what genre to put this film in. It's a little bit of romance, drama, music video and even advert. This may be why this short doesn't really work for me. It's not committing to one thing. So when in doubt, shove it in as experimental.
The reason I say advert is this this could well be the director trying out a new piece of equipment as opposed to creating a masterpiece of film. The only info I could find on him was his portfolio website suggesting that Roberts comes from a photography background rather than a film one. His expertise is evident in his use of the camera though. All shots are handheld and are either close ups or mid shots. There is plenty of playing around with focus which also highlights the cameras sharpness. The lack of dialogue may well have been a wise choice for an early attempt in film making. The film certainly doesn't need any. There is a professional soundtrack accompanying the visuals which suits the pace and tone of the film very well. This all adds to an intimate portrait.
But technical abilities aside, the film lacks in plot, story, structure, concept and the rest. Nothing very much happens. A guy, played by Stuart Haslam, wakes up, gets ready, jumps on a train and buys some coffee while thinking about temptress, Juila Eringer, who gave him the come on the night before. Add in a repeating pattern of bumping into people. If there is an arc it's well hidden. Perhaps it's all deep and meaningful and I just don't get it. Too much style and not enough substance I'm afraid.
I wasn't entirely sure what genre to put this film in. It's a little bit of romance, drama, music video and even advert. This may be why this short doesn't really work for me. It's not committing to one thing. So when in doubt, shove it in as experimental.
The reason I say advert is this this could well be the director trying out a new piece of equipment as opposed to creating a masterpiece of film. The only info I could find on him was his portfolio website suggesting that Roberts comes from a photography background rather than a film one. His expertise is evident in his use of the camera though. All shots are handheld and are either close ups or mid shots. There is plenty of playing around with focus which also highlights the cameras sharpness. The lack of dialogue may well have been a wise choice for an early attempt in film making. The film certainly doesn't need any. There is a professional soundtrack accompanying the visuals which suits the pace and tone of the film very well. This all adds to an intimate portrait.
But technical abilities aside, the film lacks in plot, story, structure, concept and the rest. Nothing very much happens. A guy, played by Stuart Haslam, wakes up, gets ready, jumps on a train and buys some coffee while thinking about temptress, Juila Eringer, who gave him the come on the night before. Add in a repeating pattern of bumping into people. If there is an arc it's well hidden. Perhaps it's all deep and meaningful and I just don't get it. Too much style and not enough substance I'm afraid.
Best Bit: Quality camera
Worst Bit: NOTHING HAPPENS. Plus that cut to black at the end.
Read a condensed review of this film on Twitter here.
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