10 Feb 2012

Contraction ★★★☆☆



Review of 'Contraction' which can be found here or at the BBC Film Network.

Length: 02:18
Written & directed by Christopher Hewitt & James Cambourne
Genre: Drama
Date: 2009
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Logline: A guy gets life pumped back into him up on a rooftop.

The film comes with synopsis: "Contraction follows the idea of life literally being pushed back into a person and how it effects the immediate surroundings." I guess that's something you should probably read before watching otherwise you'll maybe wonder what it's all about.

Actors Michael Malarkey (the best name I have ever heard) and Nadine Lewington are both professional. There is little dialogue but both give good performances. I can't help but think this feels like it should have been part of some health board warning about the dangers of free running or instant death syndrome or something along those lines. Or at least have some element of conclusion. We are looking in on a minute or so of action without any prior knowledge of who these people are, what they've been doing and where they are going. Yet there is a sort of likability to Malarkey's character, which makes you root for him to live even without any other information on him. Lewington's character, on the other hand, asks daft questions then seems to natter on thoughtlessly after the incident. This isn't to say that the lack of back story and set up doesn't detract from the short glimpse we get into their lives but without it, there is a possibility audiences will be left emotionally untouched.

Everyone will probably remember this short for the neat animation, which I think was the main element to showcase in the first place. The SFX run seamlessly with the live action which has also been shot to a high standard and is complemented by a rich soundtrack and sound effects. To be fair, it's a one trick pony, as we just see the same thing over and over. Still it's only a couple of minutes long, eh.

Best Bit: Special effects/animation of course.

Worst Bit: The one line of dialogue we get is seriously idiotic.

Final thought: What the hell are they doing up on that roof any ways? Plus why is she pushing his stomach instead of giving chest compressions?

Read a condensed review of this film on Twitter here.

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